Information recording apparatus, information reprodicing apparatus, information recording method, information reproducing method, recording medium, information recording medium in which recording control program is stored, information recoriding medium in which reproducing control program is stored, recording control program and reproducing control program

ABSTRACT

A system controller is provided so as to record the second disk type information having the same content as that of the first disk type information, which is recorded in a DVD-R in advance, in a DVD-R in which the first disk type information is recorded as well as to record the record information in the DVD-R and reproduce the record information only if the first disk type information and the second disk type information have the same contents each other upon reproducing the record information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technical field of an informationrecording apparatus, an information reproducing apparatus, aninformation recording method, an information reproducing method,recording medium, an information recording medium in which a recordingcontrolling program is recorded and an information recording medium inwhich a reproducing controlling program is recorded. More specifically,the present invention relates to a technical field of an informationrecording apparatus and method for recording record information to beprotected by copyright, an information recording medium in which arecording controlling program is recorded, a recording medium in whichthe record information is recorded, an information reproducing apparatusand method for reproducing the record information being recorded whilesecuring a copyright on the record information and an informationrecording medium in which a reproducing controlling program is recorded.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, increasing the recording density of a recording mediumsuch as an optical disk is studied and developed actively. As a result,a DVD (read only DVD (DVD-ROM)), in which one movie for a movie theatercan be recorded, has been prevailing.

On the other hand, following studies and developments of the DVD-ROM,the studies and developments with respect to DVD-R (DVD-Recordable),DVD-RW (DVD-Re-Recordable), or DVD-RAM (DVD-Rewritable), which arerecordable optical disks having high recording density, are made. As aresult, progress has been made in standardizing of these recordable DVDsand bringing an information recording apparatus corresponding to theDVDs to market.

Incidentally, recording information such as a movie recorded in theDVD-ROM is generally protected by copyright. Specifically, copying therecord information recorded from the DVD-ROM without permission isprohibited as a general with a few exceptions.

In order to secure the copyright on the record information,conventionally, a variety of functions to prevent illegal copy ordisable reproduction of record information which is illegally copied(hereinafter simply referred to illegal copy protection function) hasbeen developed.

However, in recent years, personal computers and the Internet has beenbecoming pervasive, so that there may be cases where illegal softwarefor illegally canceling the conventional illegal copy protectionfunction is developed and provided for general use through the Internet.If this illegal software is used, there may be cases where the recordinformation recorded in the DVD-ROM is illegally copied to any one ofthese recordable DVDs by a personal computer. Further, there may becases where the recordable DVD to which the record information illegallycopied is replicated in large quantity by using an authorizedinformation recording apparatus. Therefore, there was a problem suchthat the protection by the copyright came to naught.

Although the above-mentioned illegal copy has to be prevented, it shouldnot be prevented that a user records his private record information,which is recorded by his own camcorder, in the recordable DVD by usingthe information recording apparatus for the purpose of editing it.Because the private recording itself is not illegal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made taking the problems intoconsideration, an object of the invention is to provide an informationrecording apparatus and an information recording method, an informationrecording medium in which recording control program is recorded, arecording medium in which the record information is recorded, aninformation reproducing apparatus and method for reproducing the recordinformation, and an information recording medium in which reproducingcontrol program is recorded, each of which is capable of securing thecopyright on the record information by making a sharp distinctionbetween a recoding medium in which the above-mentioned private recordinformation is recorded and another recording medium in which the recordinformation is illegally copied by a personal computer, etc., andpreventing the reproduction of the record information recorded in saidanother recording medium in which the record information is illegallycopied.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording apparatus of the present invention for recordingrecord information in a recording medium in which a first typeinformation indicating a type of the recording medium is recorded inadvance. The apparatus is provided with: a type information recordingdevice for recording a second type information, whose correspondence tothe first type information is set in advance, in the recording medium inwhich the first type information is recorded; and a recording device forrecording the record information in the recording medium.

According to the present invention, the second type information havingthe correspondence to the first type information, which is set inadvance, is recorded in a recording medium as well as the recordinformation is recorded in the recording medium. Then, the recordinformation is reproduced only when the first type information has thecorrespondence to the first type information, so that it is possible toprohibit the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation, which is different from the first type information, isrecorded or to prohibit the reproduction of the record information,which is recorded by the illegal recording processing such that thesecond type information is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectivelyprohibiting the reproduction of the record information which is recordedby the an information processing apparatus or the like under an illegalrecording processing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium inwhich a private record information is recorded and another recordingmedium in which the record information is illegally copied is made aswell as the reproduction of the record information recorded in saidanother recording medium in which the record information is illegallycopied is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyrighton the record information.

In one aspect of the present invention, said type information recordingdevice records said second type information, which indicates the samecontent as that the first type information indicates, in the recordingmedium.

According to this aspect, upon reproducing the record information, it ispossible to determine the correspondence between the first typeinformation and the second type information and prohibit thereproduction of the record information recorded under the illegalrecording processing, by a simple processing.

In another aspect of the present invention, said type informationrecording device records said second type information, which indicates arecordable recording medium, in the recording medium.

According to this aspect, upon reproducing the record information, it ispossible to determine the correspondence between the first typeinformation and the second type information and prohibit thereproduction of the record information recorded under the illegalrecording processing, by a simple processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, the record information isprovided with a plurality of record information units, and said typeinformation recording device records said second type information inboth a whole management information for managing the whole of the recordinformation and a management information unit for managing the recordinformation units.

According to this aspect, since the second type information is recordedin both the whole management information and management informationunit, if a second type information is interpolated in any one of thewhole management information and management information unit, it ispossible to prohibit the reproduction of the record information recordedunder the illegal recording processing, by using another second typeinformation.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationis recorded in lead-in area of the recording medium, and the second typeinformation is recorded in data area which the record information isrecorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing,by using another second type information.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationindicates that the recording medium is any one of DVD-ROM, DVD-R,DVD-RAM of DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing,by using another second type information.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingdevice records said second type information, which indicates arecordable recording medium, in the recording medium, when the recordingmedium is any one of the General type DVD-R, the DVD-RAM and the DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing,by using another second type information.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingdevice records said second type information, which indicates a read onlyrecording medium, in the recording medium, when the recording medium isthe Authoring type DVD-R.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing,by using another second type information.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation reproducing apparatus of the present invention forreproducing record information from a recording medium in which therecord information, a first type information and second type informationare recorded, said first type information indicating a type of therecording medium, said second type information corresponding to thefirst type information. The apparatus is provided with: a firstdetecting device for detecting said first type information from therecording medium; a second detecting device for detecting said secondtype information from the recording medium; and a reproducing device forreproducing the record information only when the detected second typeinformation has the correspondence to the detected first typeinformation, which is set in advance.

According to the present invention, since the record information isreproduced only when the first type information has the correspondenceto the first type information, so that it is possible to prohibit theillegal recording processing such that the second type information,which is different from the first type information, is recorded or toprohibit the reproduction of the record information, which is recordedby the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectively prohibiting thereproduction of the record information which is recorded by the aninformation processing apparatus or the like under an illegal recordingprocessing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium in which aprivate record information is recorded and another recording medium inwhich the record information is illegally copied is made as well as thereproduction of the record information recorded in said anotherrecording medium in which the record information is illegally copied isprevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyright on therecord information.

In one aspect of the present invention, said reproducing device ejectsthe recording medium loaded in the information reproducing apparatusfrom the information reproducing apparatus if the detected second typeinformation has the correspondence to the detected first typeinformation, which is different from the correspondence set in advance.

According to this aspect, if the detected second type information hasthe correspondence to the detected first type information, which isdifferent from the correspondence set in advance, the recording mediumloaded in the information reproducing apparatus is ejected from theinformation reproducing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prohibitthe reproduction of the record information, which is recorded by theillegal recording processing, more effectively.

In another aspect of the present invention, the correspondence set inadvance is that said second type information indicates the same contentas that the first type information indicates.

According to this aspect, upon reproducing the record information, it ispossible to determine the correspondence between the first typeinformation and the second type information and prohibit thereproduction of the record information recorded under the illegalrecording processing, by a simple processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said correspondence set inadvance is that said second type information indicates whether therecording medium is a recordable recording medium or not.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, the record informationcomprises a plurality of record information units, and said second typeinformation is recorded in both a whole management information formanaging the whole of the record information and a managementinformation unit for managing the record information units.

According to this aspect, since the second type information is recordedin both the whole management information and management informationunit, if a second type information is interpolated in any one of thewhole management information and management information unit, it ispossible to prohibit the reproduction of the record information recordedunder the illegal recording processing, by using another second typeinformation.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationis recorded in lead-in area of the recording medium, and the second typeinformation is recorded in data area which the record information isrecorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationindicates that the recording medium is any one of DVD-ROM, DVD-R,DVD-RAM and DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said reproducing devicereproduces the record information, when the first type informationindicates DVD-ROM or the Authoring type DVD-R and the value of thesecond type information indicates a read only recording medium.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said reproducing devicereproduces the record information, when the first type informationindicates that the recording medium is any one of the General typeDVD-R, DVD-RAM and DVD-RW and the value of the second type informationindicates a recordable recording medium.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a recordingmedium of the present invention, which is for use in an informationrecording and/or reproducing apparatus. The medium is provided with: afirst type information recording area in which a first type informationindicating a type of the recording medium is recorded in advance; asecond type information recording area in which a second typeinformation, whose correspondence to the first type information is setin advance, can be recorded; and a record information recording area inwhich record information to be recorded in a recording medium can berecorded.

According to the present invention, upon recording the recordinformation in the recording medium, the second type information havingthe correspondence to the first type information, which is set inadvance, is recorded in the second type information recording area.Then, upon reproducing the record information, the record information isreproduced only when the first type information has the correspondenceto the first type information, so that it is possible to prohibit theillegal recording processing such that the second type information,which is different from the first type information, is recorded or toprohibit the reproduction of the record information, which is recordedby the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectively prohibiting thereproduction of the record information which is recorded by the aninformation processing apparatus or the like under an illegal recordingprocessing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium in which aprivate record information is recorded and another recording medium inwhich the record information is illegally copied is made as well as thereproduction of the record information recorded in said anotherrecording medium in which the record information is illegally copied isprevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyright on therecord information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the correspondence set inadvance is that said second type information indicates the same contentas that the first type information indicates.

According to this aspect, upon reproducing the record information, it ispossible to determine the correspondence between the first typeinformation and the second type information and prohibit thereproduction of the record information recorded under the illegalrecording processing, by a simple processing.

In another aspect of the present invention, said correspondence set inadvance is that said second type information indicates whether therecording medium is a reacordable recording medium or not.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, the record information isprovided with a plurality of record information units, and said secondtype information recording area is formed in both a whole managementinformation for managing the whole of the record information and amanagement information unit for managing the record information units.

According to this aspect, since the second type information is recordedin both the whole management information and management informationunit, if a second type information is interpolated in any one of thewhole management information and management information unit, it ispossible to prohibit the reproduction of the record information recordedunder the illegal recording processing, by using another second typeinformation.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationrecording area of the recording medium, and the second type informationis formed in the record information recording area.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, a value of the first disktype information indicated that the recording medium is any one ofDVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RAM and DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said second type informationwhich indicates a read only recording medium is recorded in the secondtype information recording area, when the first type informationindicates DVD-ROM or the Authoring type DVD-R.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said second type informationwhich indicates a recordable recording medium is recorded in the secondtype information recording area, when the first type informationindicates that the recording medium is any one of the General typeDVD-R, DVD-RAM and DVD-RW.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording method of the present invention which recordsrecord information in a recording medium in which a first typeinformation indicating a type of the recording medium is recorded inadvance. The method is provided with: a type information recordingprocess for recording a second type information, whose correspondence tothe first type information is set in advance, in the recording medium inwhich the first type information is recorded; and a recording processfor recording the record information in the recording medium.

According to the present invention, the second type information havingthe correspondence to the first type information, which is set inadvance, is recorded in a recording medium as well as the recordinformation is recorded in the recording medium. Then, the recordinformation is reproduced only when the first type information has thecorrespondence to the first type information, so that it is possible toprohibit the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation, which is different from the first type information, isrecorded or to prohibit the reproduction of the record information,which is recorded by the illegal recording processing such that thesecond type information is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectivelyprohibiting the reproduction of the record information which is recordedby the an information processing apparatus or the like under an illegalrecording processing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium inwhich a private record information is recorded and another recordingmedium in which the record information is illegally copied is made aswell as the reproduction of the record information recorded in saidanother recording medium in which the record information is illegallycopied is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyrighton the record information.

In one aspect of the present invention, said type information recordingprocess records said second type information, which indicates the samecontent as that the first type information indicates, in the recordingmedium in which the first type information is recorded.

According to this aspect, upon reproducing the record information, it ispossible to determine the correspondence between the first typeinformation and the second type information and prohibit thereproduction of the record information recorded under the illegalrecording processing, by a simple processing.

In another aspect of the present invention, said type informationrecording process records said second type information, which indicatesa recordable recording medium, in the recording medium.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, the record information isprovided with a plurality of record information units, and said typeinformation recording process records said second type information inboth a whole management information for managing the whole of the recordinformation and a management information unit for managing the recordinformation units.

According to this aspect, since the second type information is recordedin both the whole management information and management informationunit, if a second type information is interpolated in any one of thewhole management information and management information unit, it ispossible to prohibit the reproduction of the record information recordedunder the illegal recording processing, by using another second typeinformation.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationis recorded in lead-in area of the recording medium, and the second typeinformation is recorded in data area which the record information isrecorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationindicates that the recording medium is any one of DVD-ROM, DVD-R,DVD-RAM of DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingprocess records said second type information, which indicates arecordable recording medium, in the recording medium, when the recordingmedium is any one of the General type DVD-R, the DVD-RAM and the DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingprocess records said second type information, which indicates a readonly recording medium, in the recording medium, when the recordingmedium is the Authoring type DVD-R.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation reproducing method of the present invention which reproducesrecord information from a recording medium in which the recordinformation, a first type information and second type information arerecorded, said first type information indicating a type of the recordingmedium, said second type information corresponding to the first typeinformation. The method is provided with: a first detecting process fordetecting said first type information from the recording medium; asecond detecting process for detecting said second type information fromthe recording medium; and a reproducing process for reproducing therecord information only when the detected second type information hasthe correspondence to the detected first type information, which is setin advance.

According to the present invention, since the record information isreproduced only when the first type information has the correspondenceto the first type information, so that it is possible to prohibit theillegal recording processing such that the second type information,which is different from the first type information, is recorded or toprohibit the reproduction of the record information, which is recordedby the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectively prohibiting thereproduction of the record information which is recorded by the aninformation processing apparatus or the like under an illegal recordingprocessing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium in which aprivate record information is recorded and another recording medium inwhich the record information is illegally copied is made as well as thereproduction of the record information recorded in said anotherrecording medium in which the record information is illegally copied isprevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyright on therecord information.

In one aspect of the present invention, said reproducing process ejectsthe recording medium loaded in an information reproducing apparatus fromthe information reproducing apparatus if the detected second typeinformation has the correspondence to the detected first typeinformation, which is different from the correspondence set in advance.

According to this aspect, if the detected second type information hasthe correspondence to the detected first type information, which isdifferent from the correspondence set in advance, the recording mediumloaded in the information reproducing apparatus is ejected from theinformation reproducing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prohibitthe reproduction of the record information, which is recorded by theillegal recording processing, more effectively.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording medium of the present invention in which arecording control program is recorded readably by a recording computerin an information recording apparatus for recording record informationin a recording medium in which a first type information indicating atype of the recording medium is recorded in advance. The recordingcontrol program causes the recording computer to function as: a typeinformation recording device for recording a second type information,whose correspondence to the first type information is set in advance, inthe recording medium in which the first type information is recorded;and a recording device for recording the record information in therecording medium.

According to the present invention, the second type information havingthe correspondence to the first type information, which is set inadvance, is recorded in a recording medium as well as the recordinformation is recorded in the recording medium. Then, the recordinformation is reproduced only when the first type information has thecorrespondence to the first type information, so that it is possible toprohibit the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation, which is different from the first type information, isrecorded or to prohibit the reproduction of the record information,which is recorded by the illegal recording processing such that thesecond type information is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectivelyprohibiting the reproduction of the record information which is recordedby the an information processing apparatus or the like under an illegalrecording processing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium inwhich a private record information is recorded and another recordingmedium in which the record information is illegally copied is made aswell as the reproduction of the record information recorded in saidanother recording medium in which the record information is illegallycopied is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyrighton the record information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the record information isprovided with a plurality of record information units, and said typeinformation recording device records said second type information inboth a whole management information for managing the whole of the recordinformation and a management information unit for managing the recordinformation units.

According to this aspect, since the second type information is recordedin both the whole management information and management informationunit, if a second type information is interpolated in any one of thewhole management information and management information unit, it ispossible to prohibit the reproduction of the record information recordedunder the illegal recording processing, by using another second typeinformation.

In another aspect of the present invention, said first type informationis recorded in lead-in area of the recording medium, and the second typeinformation is recorded in data area which the record information isrecorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationindicates that the recording medium is any one of DVD-ROM, DVD-R,DVD-RAM of DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingdevice records said second type information, which indicates arecordable recording medium, in the recording medium, when the recordingmedium is any one of the General type DVD-R, the DVD-RAM and the DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingdevice records said second type information, which indicates a read onlyrecording medium, in the recording medium, when the recording medium isthe Authoring type DVD-R.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording medium of the present invention in which areproducing control program is recorded readably by a reproducingcomputer in an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing recordinformation from a recording medium in which the record information, afirst type information and second type information are recorded, saidfirst type information indicating a type of the recording medium, saidsecond type information corresponding to the first type information. Thereproducing control program causes said reproducing computer to functionas: a first detecting device for detecting said first type informationfrom the recording medium; a second detecting device for detecting saidsecond type information from the recording medium; and a reproducingdevice for reproducing the record information only when the detectedsecond type information has the correspondence to the detected firsttype information, which is set in advance.

According to the present invention, since the record information isreproduced only when the first type information has the correspondenceto the first type information, so that it is possible to prohibit theillegal recording processing such that the second type information,which is different from the first type information, is recorded or toprohibit the reproduction of the record information, which is recordedby the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectively prohibiting thereproduction of the record information which is recorded by the aninformation processing apparatus or the like under an illegal recordingprocessing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium in which aprivate record information is recorded and another recording medium inwhich the record information is illegally copied is made as well as thereproduction of the record information recorded in said anotherrecording medium in which the record information is illegally copied isprevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyright on therecord information.

In one aspect of the present invention, said reproducing device ejectsthe recording medium loaded in the information reproducing apparatusfrom the information reproducing apparatus if the detected second typeinformation has the correspondence to the detected first typeinformation, which is different from the correspondence set in advance.

According to this aspect, if the detected second type information hasthe correspondence to the detected first type information, which isdifferent from the correspondence set in advance, the recording mediumloaded in the information reproducing apparatus is ejected from theinformation reproducing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prohibitthe reproduction of the record information, which is recorded by theillegal recording processing, more effectively.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a computerdata signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a sequence ofinstructions, of the present invention, which is executed by a recordingcomputer in an information recording apparatus for recording recordinformation in a recording medium in which a first type informationindicating a type of the recording medium is recorded in advance. Theinstructions are provided with the steps of: recording a second typeinformation, whose correspondence to the first type information is setin advance, in the recording medium in which the first type informationis recorded; and recording the record information in the recordingmedium.

According to the present invention, the second type information havingthe correspondence to the first type information, which is set inadvance, is recorded in a recording medium as well as the recordinformation is recorded in the recording medium. Then, the recordinformation is reproduced only when the first type information has thecorrespondence to the first type information, so that it is possible toprohibit the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation, which is different from the first type information, isrecorded or to prohibit the reproduction of the record information,which is recorded by the illegal recording processing such that thesecond type information is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectivelyprohibiting the reproduction of the record information which is recordedby the an information processing apparatus or the like under an illegalrecording processing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium inwhich a private record information is recorded and another recordingmedium in which the record information is illegally copied is made aswell as the reproduction of the record information recorded in saidanother recording medium in which the record information is illegallycopied is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyrighton the record information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the record information isprovided with a plurality of record information units, and said step ofrecording the record information records said second type information inboth a whole management information for managing the whole of the recordinformation and a management information unit for managing the recordinformation units.

According to this aspect, since the second type information is recordedin both the whole management information and management informationunit, if a second type information is interpolated in any one of thewhole management information and management information unit, it ispossible to prohibit the reproduction of the record information recordedunder the illegal recording processing, by using another second typeinformation.

In another aspect of the present invention, said first type informationis recorded in lead-in area of the recording medium, and the second typeinformation is recorded in data area which the record information isrecorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said first type informationindicates that the recording medium is any one of DVD-ROM, DVD-R,DVD-RAM of DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingdevice records said second type information, which indicates arecordable recording medium, in the recording medium, when the recordingmedium is any one of the General type DVD-R, the DVD-RAM and the DVD-RW.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

In further aspect of the present invention, said DVD-R includes Generaltype DVD-R and Authoring type DVD-R, and said type information recordingdevice records said second type information, which indicates a read onlyrecording medium, in the recording medium, when the recording medium isthe Authoring type DVD-R.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prohibit the reproduction ofthe record information recorded under the illegal recording processing.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a computerdata signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a sequence ofinstructions, of the present invention, which is executed by areproducing computer in an information reproducing apparatus forreproducing record information from a recording medium in which therecord information, a first type information and second type informationare recorded, said first type information indicating a type of therecording medium, said second type information corresponding to thefirst type information. The instructions are provided with the steps of:detecting said first type information from the recording medium;detecting said second type information from the recording medium; andreproducing the record information only when the detected second typeinformation has the correspondence to the detected first typeinformation, which is set in advance.

According to the present invention, since the record information isreproduced only when the first type information has the correspondenceto the first type information, so that it is possible to prohibit theillegal recording processing such that the second type information,which is different from the first type information, is recorded or toprohibit the reproduction of the record information, which is recordedby the illegal recording processing such that the second typeinformation is not recorded. Accordingly, by effectively prohibiting thereproduction of the record information which is recorded by the aninformation processing apparatus or the like under an illegal recordingprocessing, a sharp distinction between a recoding medium in which aprivate record information is recorded and another recording medium inwhich the record information is illegally copied is made as well as thereproduction of the record information recorded in said anotherrecording medium in which the record information is illegally copied isprevented. Therefore, it is possible to secure the copyright on therecord information.

In one aspect of the present invention, said step of reproducing therecord information ejects the recording medium loaded in the informationreproducing apparatus from the information reproducing apparatus if thedetected second type information has the correspondence to the detectedfirst type information, which is different from the correspondence setin advance.

According to this aspect, if the detected second type information hasthe correspondence to the detected first type information, which isdifferent from the correspondence set in advance, the recording mediumloaded in the information reproducing apparatus is ejected from theinformation reproducing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prohibitthe reproduction of the record information, which is recorded by theillegal recording processing, more effectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

FIG. 1 is a plane outline diagram of a DVD-R according to a preferredembodiment and a diagram for illustrating a physical recording formatsuch that the recording of the recording information is completed;

FIG. 2 is a diagram (I) for illustrating a physical format of therecording information according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating a constitution of a GOP in thephysical format according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram (II) for illustrating a physical format of therecording information according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram (III) for illustrating a physical format of therecording information according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating a physical format of the recordinginformation according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for illustrating a schematic constitution ofan information recording/reproducing apparatus according to thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for illustrating the information recordingprocessing according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for illustrating the loading processing accordingto the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for illustrating the information reproducingprocessing according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plane outline diagram of a DVD-R according to a modifiedembodiment and a diagram for illustrating a physical recording formatsuch that the recording of the recording information is completed;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for illustrating the information recordingprocessing according to the modified embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for illustrating the loading processingaccording to the modified embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for illustrating the information reproducingprocessing according to the modified embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to the drawings.

The embodiment to be explained below is applied to an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus, which records the record informationinputted from an external source in a DVD-R which is a DVD capable ofrecording the record information only one time while it is incapable ofrewriting the record information. The information recording/reproducingapparatus can also reproduce record information, which is recorded in aread only DVD (DVD-ROM) or a DVD-RW which is another recordable DVD, inaddition to the record information recorded in the DVD-R.

(I) Embodiment of DVD-R

A DVD-R served as a recording medium, in which the recording informationis recorded and reproduced by the information recording/reproducingapparatus, will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan external view and a physical recording formatof the DVD-R after recording the record information is completed,according to the present embodiment.

The DVD-R according to the present embodiment comprises an optical disccapable of recording only once with a recording membrane such as a colormembrane. In a plan external view, the DVD-R has a center hall CH at acenter thereof to fix the DVD-R in a spindle motor for rotating theDVD-R in the information recording/reproducing apparatus. The DVD-Rfurther has a no-redcordable area 110 not capable of recording therecord information from the inside thereof to the inner circumference, aredcordable area PA capable of recording the recording information andan end area EA not capable of recording the recording information in theouter circumference side.

Further, the redcordable area PA after recording is completed, iscomposed of: a beam density test area 111 in which the test informationfor setting the density of the optical beam to be used for recording therecord information is recorded; a managing data area 112 in which thedata of the set optical beam density and the managing data to bedescribed later in the recording process are recorded; a lead-in areaLIA in which the start information or the like to be read out uponstarting the reproduction of the recorded record information arerecorded in the recording process of the record information; a filesystem information area FS in which the file system information isrecorded as the information for indicating a file structure in therecord information; a data area DA in which the record information isactually recorded; and a lead-out area LOA in which the terminationinformation or the like to be read out upon terminating the reproductionof the recorded record information are recorded in the recording processof the record information.

The lead-in area LIA of each area constituting the redcordable area PAis an area in which each information described later is recorded in itsportion in advance upon manufacturing a DVD-R 1R. Therefore, the portionis already formed even in a DVD-R 1R which is on the market as a blankdisk, in which no record information to be reproduced is recorded.

The lead-in area LIA is divided into: an initial zone 113 in which zerodata indicating that the lead-in area LIA starts therefrom is recorded;a reference code zone 114 in which a management information and thelike, which are referred upon reproducing the record informationrecorded in the DVD-R 1R, are recorded; a first buffer zone 115functioning as a buffer zone between the reference code zone 114 and acontrol data zone 116 described later; a control data zone 116 in whichmanagement information and the like, which is to be referred uponstarting recoding the record information and divided into n pieces ofblocks 116 ⁻¹ through 116 _(−n), are recorded; and a second buffer zone117 functioning as a buffer zone between the control data zone 116 andthe file system information area.

Each of blocks 116 ⁻¹ through 116 _(−n) constituting the control datazone 116 is provided with auxiliary information 141 and 144, a diskproducing information 142 in which producing information relates toproducing of the DVD-R 1R (a producer's name), a physical formatinformation 143 which is information indicating an optical disk type,etc. of DVD-R 1R.

The physical format information 143 is provided with a first disk typeinformation 145 which indicates an optical disk type of the DVD-R 1R,other information 146 which is information other than the first disktype information. The first disk type information 145 is comprised of4-bit information. In the DVD-R 1R, the value of the first disk typeinformation 145 is “b” (b indicates a binary number).

It is standardized that the first disk type information 145 is used inother DVDs, such as a DVD-ROM, the recordable DVD-RW and DVD-RAM.Specifically, in the DVD-ROM, the value of the first disk typeinformation 145 is set as “0000b”. In the DVD-RAM, the value of thefirst disk type information 145 is set as “0001b”.

(II) Embodiment of Physical Format and Logical Format of RecordInformation

Next, a physical format and a logical format, with which the recordinformation recorded in the data area DA by the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment should be inconformity, will be schematically explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to6.

Alternatively, FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 hierarchically illustrate the physicalformat. FIG. 3 a constitution of a GOP (Group Of Picture) in thephysical format. FIG. 6 hierarchically illustrates the logical formatcorresponding to the physical format.

The physical format explained below is a format with which not only therecord information to be recorded in the DVD-R 1R but also the recordinformation recorded in the DVD-ROM and the record information to berecorded in the DVD-RW and the DVD-RAM should be in conformity.

As shown in FIG. 2, image information and audio information are dividedinto a plurality of Video Title Sets (VTS) 3 (VTS #1 to VTS #n) havingan ID (identification) number, respectively to be recorded.

The VTS means a set (a pack) packing image information and titlesrelevant to the image information, whose attributions such as the numberof sound information and sub-picture information (i.e., the informationof a sub-picture such as a subtitle of a movie or the like), aspecification, and a corresponding language are identical. The titlesare works such as movies, which producers intend to present to viewers.More specifically, for example, a plurality of movies, which correspondto one movie, having scripts of different languages and the like may berecorded in different titles respectively. Further, a movie of a theaterversion and the corresponding movie of a special version may be recordedin different titles respectively.

Alternatively, just before an area in which a VTS#L in a VTS 3 isrecorded, a video manager 2 is recorded. The details of the videomanager will be explained later.

A piece of VTS 3 is divided into a plurality of VOBs 10 having IDnumbers, respectively, to be recorded with control data 11 as a head. Aportion composed of a plurality of VOBs 10 is referred to as a VOB set(VOBS) In order to distinguish the control data 11 as other datacomposing the VTS 3 and a plurality of VOBs 10 comprising an substanceof the image information and the audio information, the substantialportion is referred to as a VOB set.

In the control data 11 to be recorded in a head of the VTS 3, theinformation such as PGCI (Program Chain Information) or the likecomprising various information with regard to a program chain, which isa logical segment made by combining a plurality of cells (a cell will bedescribed later) and the backup information for it are recorded as VTSI(Video Title Set Information). Alternatively, in each VOB 10, ansubstantial portion of the image information and the audio information(i.e., the image or the audio itself other than the control information)is recorded in addition to the control information.

Further, one piece of VOB 10 is composed of a plurality of cells 20having an ID number, respectively. One piece of VOB 10 must be composedof integral multiples of the cells 20, so that one cell 20 is not sharedby two pieces of VOB 10.

One cell 20 is composed of a plurality of VOB units (VOBU) 30 having anID number, respectively. The VOB unit 30 means unit informationincluding each of the image information, the audio information and thesub picture information.

Then, one VOB unit 30 is composed of: a navigation pack 41 (hereinafter,simply referred to as a navi pack) in which the control information tocontrol the data or the like included in the VOB unit 30 is stored;video data 42 as the image information; audio data 43 as the audioinformation and sub picture data 44 as the sub picture information. Onlythe image data is recorded as the video data 42, and only the audio datais recorded as the audio data 43. Alternatively, as the sub picture data44, only graphic data such as characters, a graphic as the sub pictureare recorded. It is defined in the standard that there are eight kindsof audios capable of being recorded in the DVD-R 1R and there are thirtytwo kinds of the sub pictures capable of being recorded at the maximum.

Alternatively, the reproduction time (the reproduction timecorresponding to the data recorded between one navi pack 41 and a navipack 41 adjacent to this one navi pack 41) in response to one VOB unit30 is recorded so as to have a length in the range of not less than 0.4second and not more than 1.0 second. Therefore, the navi pack 41 isdefinitely detected one time in the range of 0.4 second to 1.0 secondupon reproduction.

Additionally, in one VOB unit 30, the navi pack 41 should be located ata head thereof. However, each of the video data 42, the audio data 43and the sub picture data 44 is not needed to be located in the VOB unit30. Alternatively, if they are located in the VOB unit 30, the numberand the order thereof may be arbitrarily set.

A segment of each of the video data 42, the audio data 43 and the subpicture data 44 shown in FIG. 1 is generally referred to as a pack P.

In other words, the video data 42, the audio data 43 and the sub picturedata 44 are respectively divided into a pack P to be recorded in one VOBunit 30. Further, the pack P in which the video data 42 is recorded isreferred to as a video pack, the pack P in which the audio data 43 isrecorded is referred to as an audio pack, and the pack P in which thesub picture data 44 is recorded is referred to as a sub picture pack.Further, read-out starting time information referred to as a SCR (SystemClock Reference) is recorded in a back header to be recorded in the headof each pack P. The SCR indicates a read-out start time on areproduction time axis when the input in respective buffers should bestarted by reading out the data included in each pack P from a trackbuffer in the information reproducing apparatus for reproducing theinformation recorded in the DVD-R 1R. Alternatively, the video data 42,the audio data 43 or the sub picture data 44 is normally recorded in theabove described each pack P for every packet as a recording unitobtained by further subsectioning the pack P. However, according to theDVD-R 1R of the present embodiment, one pack P is generally composed ofone packet.

Finally, the navi pack 41 is composed of DSI data 51 comprisingretrieval information for retrieving the image, the audio or the like tobe reproduced and displayed (specifically, an address or the like on theDVD-R 1R in which the image, the audio or the like to be reproduced anddisplayed), and PCI data 50 comprising the information in relation tothe reproduction displaying control upon displaying the image or theaudio retrieved on the basis of the DSI data 51. The DSI data 51 and thePCI data 50 compose a DSI packet and a PCI packet as a packet PT,respectively, then, they are recorded.

Further, all of the video data 42 included in one VOB unit 30 arecomposed of one or plural Groups of Picture (GOP).

The DSI data 51 and the PCI data 50 will be described in detail later.

Alternatively, the PCI data 50 includes highlight information thatdefines the indication and the operation when the viewer selects acertain alternative item. Depending on the highlight information, forexample, the change of the screen display with respect to the itemselection in an image which displays the items to be selected by theviewer (menu screen), a display position to be changed in accordancewith the selection, a command for the selected item (i.e., a command forindicating the operation to be carried out to the selected item) and thelike are set.

The image information for displaying a frame, a selection button and thelike, which are necessary for composing a menu image and displaying it,is recorded as the sub picture data 44 as the above described sub imageinformation.

Additionally, the above described GOP is the minimum image unit byitself, which is defined in the MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) 2system as an image compression system employed upon recording the imageinformation in the DVD-R 1R of the present invention. In a head of eachGOP, reproduction display time information referred to as a PTS(Presentation Time Stamp) is recorded to indicate the reproduction timeon the reproduction time axis when the video data 42 included in the GOPshould be displayed.

The summary of the MPEG 2 system will be explained below. Generally,there are many cases such that frame images located back and forth ofone piece of frame image are similar each other and have a mutualrelation in continuous frame images. The MPEG 2 system has views uponthe point. In the MPEG 2 system, based on a plurality of frame images tobe transferred at interval of some frames, another frame image existingamong the plurality of frame images is generated by an interpolationcalculation on the basis of a moving vector or the like of an originalimage. In the case, when recording another frame image, only byrecording the information with regard to the difference among theplurality of frame images and the moving vector, it becomes possible topredict another frame image with reference to the recorded informationand to reproduce another frame image upon reproduction. Therefore, itbecomes possible to compress and record the image.

Further, the summary of the above described GOP will be explained withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a plurality offrame images composing one GOP. FIG. 3 shows that one GOP 52 is composedof twelve pieces of frame images (the number of frame images included inone GOP 52 is not fixed in the MPEG 2 system). In the frame images, aframe image indicated by a reference numeral “I” is referred to as an Ipicture (Intra-coded picture) and it means a frame image capable ofreproducing a complete frame image only by its own image. Alternatively,a frame image indicated by a reference numeral “P” is referred to as a Ppicture (Predictive-coded picture) and it means a predictive imagegenerated by decrypting the difference among the compensated andreproduced predictive images or the like on the basis of the decrypted Ipicture or another P picture. Alternatively, a frame image indicated bya reference numeral “B” is referred to as a B picture (Bidirectionallypredictive-coded picture) and it means a predictive image reproduced byusing not only the decrypted I picture or P picture but also a future Ipicture or a future P picture recorded in an optical disc or the likefor prediction. In FIG. 3, a predictive relation (interpolationrelation) among respective pictures is represented by an arrow.

Alternatively, a general MPEG 2 system used in DVDs including the DVD-R1R according to the present invention employs a variable rate system inwhich the data amount included in each GOP 52 is not fixed. In otherwords, respective pictures included in one GOP 52 correspond to a movingimage with rapid movement, so that in the case that the mutual relationbetween respective pictures is small, the data amount for composingrespective pictures becomes large. Accordingly, the data amount includedin one GOP 52 also becomes large. On the other hand, respective picturesincluded in one GOP 52 correspond to a moving image with less movement,so that in the case that the mutual relation between respective picturesis large, the data amount for composing respective pictures becomessmall and the data amount included in one GOP 52 also becomes small.

In the physical format having a hierarchical structure described in theabove with reference to FIG. 2, respective segments are freely set by amanufacture of the record information in accordance with his or herintention to be recorded. By reproducing the information on the basis ofa logical structure to be explained later for every segment, it ispossible to carry out various and varied reproduction.

Next, the detail configuration of the video manager 2 will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 4.

At first, the video manager 2 is constituted by VMGI (Video ManagerInformation) 4 as the main content of the video manager 2 which servesas the information associated with a whole of the image information andthe sound information, which are recorded in the DVD-R1R, and otherinformation 5 as other appendant information 5.

In the next place, the VMGI4 is constituted by an access table 6 foraccessing the above described respective titles, a menu to indicate thenames of the above described respective titles as the other informationand the information for preventing the illegal copy, and otherinformation 7 including the back up information or the like of theseinformation.

Additionally, within the access table 6, identification information 8,which is the identification information as the above described videomanager 2, second disk type information 9, which is characteristicinformation of the invention to indicate an optical disk type of theDVD-R 1R as same as the above described first disk type information 145,and other information 12, which is the information other than theseinformation, are included. The second disk type information 9 comprisesthe information of 2 bits, which is recorded together when the recordinformation is recorded in the DVD-R1R to be described later (at thispoint, the second disk type information 9 is different from the abovedescribed first disk type information 145, which has been recorded inadvance in the process of manufacturing). In the case that the seconddisk type information 9 is recorded in the DVD-R 1R, its value is set tobe “10b”.

Alternatively, within other information 12, the version information orthe like to indicate a version number under a standard of the physicalformat, which has been currently explained, is included.

Alternatively, also in the DVD exclusively used for reproducing as otherDVD and the above described DVD-RW and the DVD-RAM capable of recordingthe information, the above described second disk type information 9 andthe second disk type information 88 to be described later are recorded.Specifically, as same as the above described first disk type information145, values of the second disk type information 9 and the second disktype information 88 are set in such a manner that, if the DVDexclusively used for reproducing is used, the values become “00b”, ifthe DVD-RAM is used, the values become “01b” and if the DVD-RW is used,the values become “11b”, respectively.

A physical data structure of the above described DSI data 51 and the PCIdata 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

At first, as shown in FIG. 5, the PCI data 50 is comprised of generalinformation 55 as the PCI data 50 itself and the other information 56 asthe rest information.

Further, the general information 55 is composed of: navi pack relativeposition information 70 as relative recording address information from ahead of the VOB 10 of the above described navi pack 41; VOBUreproduction start time information 71 for indicating a reproductionstart time on the reproduction time axis of the VOB unit 30 in whichthis navi pack 41 is included; VOBU reproduction termination timeinformation 72 for indicating a reproduction termination time on thereproduction time axis of the VOB unit 30; and other information 73 asthe rest information.

The DSI data 51 is comprised of: general information 75 as the DSI data51 itself; VOB information 76 as the information relevant to the VOB 10to which the navi pack 41 belongs; VOBU search information 77 forindicating recording position on the DVD-R 1R of other VOB units 30 tobe reproduced before and after the VOB unit 30 to which the navi pack 41belongs is reproduced, and other information 78 as the rest information.

Then, the general information 75 is comprised of: navi pack relativeposition information 85 similar to the above described navi packrelative position information 70, VOBU identification number 86 foridentifying the VOB unit 30 to which the navi pack 41 belongs, and otherinformation 87 as the rest information.

Further, the VOB information 76 is comprised of: VOBU reproduction starttime information 80 for indicating the reproduction start time on thereproduction time axis of the VOB 10 to which VOB unit 30 including thenavi pack 41 belongs; VOBU reproduction termination time information 81for indicating the reproduction termination time on the reproductiontime axis of the VOB 10; and other information 82 as the restinformation.

Still further, as the VOBU search information 77, as shown in FIG. 3,the position information is included as a list to indicate the positioninformation for indicating a recording position on the DVD-R 1R of theVOB unit 30 next to the VOB unit 30 to which the navi pack 41 belongs,and a recording position on the DVD 1 of the VOB unit 30 one previous tothe VOB unit 30 to which the navi pack 41 belongs, and the positioninformation for indicating recording positions on the DVD-R 1R of otherVOB units 30 to be reproduced in the rage of 120 seconds after the starttime of the VOB unit 30 to 120 seconds before the start time of the VOBunit 30.

Of the above-explained each information, information for managing amanner of reproduction of the record information, such as the videomanager 2, the control data 11, the navi pack 41, PTS in each packheader and the like, collectively means navigation information.

A logical format (a logical structure) obtained by combining the recordinformation recorded by the physical segments shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5will be explained with reference to FIG. 6. Alternatively, in thelogical format shown in FIG. 6, the information is not actually recordedon the DVD-R 1R, but the information (the access information, the timeinformation or the like) for combining each data (specifically, the cell20) shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 and reproducing it in the logicalstructure shown in FIG. 6 is recorded on the DVD-R 1R, specifically, inthe control data 11.

For a clear explanation, the explanation will be given from a lowerhierarchy in FIG. 6. By selecting a plurality of cells 20 and combiningthem in the physical format explained above in FIG. 2, one program 60 islogically composed on the basis of the manufacture's intention. Theprogram 60 is also the minimum logical unit capable of being accessed insuch a manner that a system controller in the above describedinformation recording/reproducing apparatus identifies the segment anduses a command. Alternatively, the manufacture may also define theprogram 60 as the minimum unit such that the viewer can freely selectone cell 20 or packed plural cells 20 and views them. The unit isreferred to as a PTT (Part of Title).

Alternatively, since one program 60 is logically composed by selecting aplurality of cells 20, it is also possible to use one cell 20 in aplurality of programs 60, in other words, redundant use of the cell 20such that one cell 20 is reproduced in different and plural programs 60is possible for the manufacturer.

The number of one cell 20 is treated as a cell ID number (it isrepresented by a cell ID# in FIG. 2) upon treating the cell 20 in thephysical format shown in FIG. 2. On the other hand, the number of onecell 20 is treated as a cell number in the order of the description in aPGCI to be described later upon treating the cell 20 in the physicalformat shown in FIG. 6.

One PGC (Program Chain) 61 is logically composed on the basis of themanufacture's intention by combining a plurality of programs 60. In theunit of the PGC 61, the above described PGCI is defined. The presentPGCI includes: a reproduction order of the cells 20 for each program 60upon reproducing respective programs 60 (a specific program number isassigned for every program 60 by this reproduction order); an address asa recording position on the DVD-R 1R of respective cells 20; the numberof a head cell 20 to be reproduced in one program 60; a reproductionsystem of respective programs 60; and various commands (a commandcapable of being designated by the manufacture for every PGC 61 or everycell 20). When recording the information in the DVD-R 1R according tothe present embodiment, the manufacturer selects any one of reproductionmethods among a normal reproduction, a random reproduction and a shufflereproduction for every PGC 60 to reproduce the program 60 uponreproduction. The random reproduction is performed by using randomnumbers, so that the same program 60 may be possibly reproduced inplural times. The shuffle reproduction is also a random reproductionusing random numbers similar to the above random reproduction, however,the program 60 is reproduced only once so that the same program 60 isnot reproduced in plural times.

Alternatively, the recording position of the PGCI on the DVD-R 1R islocated within the control data 11 (refer to FIG. 2) as described above.However, in the case that the PGCI is related to a menu within the videomanager 2, the recording position of the PGCI is located within thecontrol data (not shown) included in the video manager 2.

Alternatively, one PGCI 61 may include the data such as a substantialimage, an audio and the like as a combination of the programs 60 (inother words, a combination of the cells 20) in addition to the abovedescribed PGCI.

Further, in one PGC 61, it is also possible to redundantly use the cell20 as described in the explanation of the program 60 (namely, the samesell 20 is used by the different PGC 61). Alternatively, themanufacturer is capable of selecting a method (a method for reproducinguncontinuously arranged cells) for reproducing the cells 20 regardlessof the order that the cells 20 (for example, previously reproducing thecell 20 recorded lately or the like) are stored in the DVD-R 1R inaddition to a method for reproducing the cells 20 in the order that theyare stored in the DVD-R 1R (a method for reproducing continuouslyarranged cells) with respect to the cell 20 to be used.

One title 62 is logically composed of one or a plurality of PGC 61. Forexample, the title 62 is a unit corresponding to one piece of movie andthe title 62 is information which the manufacturer wishes to provide tothe viewer of the DVD-R 1R.

Then, one VTS 63 is logically composed of one or plural titles 62. Thistitles 62 included in the VTS 63 have common attribute, respectively.For example, with respect to one and the same movie, the movies havingdifferent languages correspond to respective titles 62. Alternatively,the information corresponding to one VTS 63 shown in FIG. 6 correspondsto the information included in one VTS 3 shown in FIG. 2. In otherwords, all information logically included in the VTS 63 shown in FIG. 6are recorded in the DVD-R 1R as one VTS 3.

On the basis of the above described logical format, the manufacturerdesignates the record information segmented in the physical format, sothat the title (a movie or the like) to be viewed by the viewer isformed.

(III) Embodiment of Information Recording/Reproducing Apparatus

An information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording the recordinformation in a DVD-R 1R or a DVD-RW based on the above describedphysical format as well as reproducing the recorded information from theDVD-R 1R or the DVD-RW according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

Alternatively, FIG. 7 is a block diagram for illustrating a schematicconstitution of an information recording/reproducing apparatus accordingto the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow chart for illustrating theinformation recording processing according to the present embodiment.FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating a loading processing executed uponexecuting the reproducing processing of the record information (namely,the loading processing for loading the DVD-R 1R or the DVD-RW in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus according to the presentembodiment). FIG. 10 is a flow chart for illustrating the informationreproducing processing according to FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, an information recording/reproducing apparatus Saccording to the present embodiment is provided with: a pickup 120 as arecording device, a first detecting device and a second detectingdevice; a modulation unit 121; a formatter 122; a video encoder 123; anaudio encoder 124; a system controller 125 as a type informationrecording device and a reproducing device; a memory 127; a demodulationunit 128; a video decoder 129; an audio decoder 130; a servo IC(Integrated Circuit) 131; a spindle motor 132; an operating unit 133; amultiplexer 134 and a demultiplexer 135. Alternatively, the systemcontroller 125 is provided with a navigation information generator 126for generating the above described navi pack 41 or the like.

The schematic operation of respective units will be explained.

At first, the spindle motor 132 rotates the loaded DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW ina predetermined rotation speed on the basis of a spindle control signalSss from the servo IC 131.

On one hand, video information Sv as the recording information to berecorded in a data area DA of the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW is inputted in thevideo encoder 123 after it is inputted from the outside.

Then, the video encoder 123 executes an encoding processing set inadvance with respect to the video information Sv on the basis of thecontrol signal Scv from the system controller 125, generates an encodedvideo signal Sev and outputs it to the multiplexer 134. Specifically,for example, the encoding processing is one in the above described MPEG2 system.

On the other hand, audio information Sa as the recording information tobe recorded in the data area DA of the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW is inputted inthe audio encoder 124 after it is inputted from the outside.

Then, the audio encoder 124 executes an encoding processing set inadvance with respect to the audio information Sa on the basis of thecontrol signal Sca from the system controller 125, generates an encodedaudio signal Sea and outputs it to the multiplexer 134. Specifically,for example, the encoding processing is one in the above described MPEG2 system.

Therefore, the multiplexer 134 superposes (or multiplexes) the imageinformation and the audio information included in the encoded videosignal Sev by a predetermined processing, generates a superposed signalSmx and outputs it to the formatter 122.

The multiplexer 134 makes the above described encoded audio signal Seapass as it is and makes it into the superpose signal Smx.

The formatter 122 combines navigation information signal Snd to bedescribed later from the navigation information generator 126 and theabove described superposed signal Smx so as to be a system of thephysical format shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 on the basis of a controlsignal Scf from the system controller 125. Then, the formatter 122generates a format signal Smt and outputs it to the modulation unit 121.

Respective recording information to be inputted in the formatter 122 asthe superposed signal Smx are outputted to the system controller 125 asrecording information signal Sfm in a preset timing so that they areprovided for generating the above navigation information in thenavigation information generator 126.

Then, the modulation unit 121 executes a predetermined modulationprocessing (specifically, for example, 8-16 modulation processing) tothe format signal Smt, generates a modulation signal Sfe and outputs itto the pickup 120.

Therefore, the pickup 120 generates an optical beam B, of which densityis modulated by the modulation signal Sfe, forms a pit corresponding tothe above navigation information included in the modulation signal Sfe,and respective recording information on the information track byirradiating the generated optical beam B on the information track withinthe information recording surface (not shown) of the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW.Then, the navigation information and respective recording informationare recorded on the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW in a system of the physicalformat shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

A deviation in a vertical direction with respect to the aboveinformation recording surface and a horizontal direction with respect tothe above information recording surface between a converge position ofthe optical beam B and the above information track is solved by movingan objective lens (not illustrated) in the pickup 120 (an objective lensfor converging the optical beam B) in the above horizontal direction andthe above vertical direction on the basis of the pickup servo signal Sspto be outputted from the servo IC 131, namely, by performing focus servocontrol and tracking servo control.

Therefore, the servo IC 131 generates the above spindle control signalSss and the pickup servo signal Ssp on the basis of a control signal Sscform the system controller 125 to output them to the spindle motor 132and the pickup 120, respectively.

On one hand, in the case of reproducing the recording information or thelike recorded in the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW in advance, the pickup 120generates an optical beam B with a predetermined density forreproduction to be irradiated to the information track on which theabove pit is formed. Then, on the basis of this reflected light, thepickup 120 generates a detection signal Spp corresponding to therecording information or the like to output it to the demodulation unit128.

Therefore, the demodulation unit 128 executes the demodulationprocessing in association with the demodulation processing in the abovemodulation unit 121 to the detection signal Spp, generates thedemodulation signal Spd and outputs it to the demultiplexer 135.

Then, the demultiplexer 135 separates the image information and theaudio information included in the video information when thedemodulation signal Spd includes the video information, so that itgenerates a separated signal Sdmx to output it to the video decoder 129.

On one hand, in the case that the demodulation signal Spd includes theaudio information, the demultiplexer 135 makes the demodulation signalSpd pass as it is and outputs it to the audio decoder 130.

The video decoder 126 executes the decoding processing corresponding tothe encoding processing in the above video encoder 123 to the separatedsignal Sdmx on the basis of a control signal Scdv from the systemcontroller 125, generates a decoding video signal Sdv and outputs it toa monitor (not shown) or the like in the outside.

Further, the audio decoder 130 executes the decoding processingcorresponding to the encoding processing in the above audio encoder 124to the modulation signal Spd including the audio information on thebasis of a control signal Scda from the system controller 125, generatesa decoding video signal Sda and outputs it to an amplifier (not shown)or the like in the outside.

On the other hand, the operating unit 133 generates an operationalsignal Sin corresponding to the operation and outputs it to the systemcontroller 125 when the operation for carrying out the recordingprocessing or the reproduction processing in the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S is carried out by the user.

Further, the navigation information generator 126 generates the abovenavigation information signal Snd including the above respectivenavigation information to be recorded in the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW uponrecording processing to be described later on the basis of the controlof the system controller 125 based on an operation signal Sin and therecording information signal Sfm and outputs the generated navigationinformation signal Snd to one of inputting terminals of the formatter122.

Therefore, the above formatter 122 superposes the recording informationin the superpose signal Smx and the navigation information in thenavigation information signal Snd, so that the above format signal Smtincluding the recording information having the physical format shown inFIGS. 2, 4 and 5 is generated.

In parallel with these operations, the system controller 125 generatesrespective control signals Scv, Sca, Scf, Ssc, Scdv and Scda forcontrolling the respective operations to output them to thecorresponding composing members, respectively, while giving andreceiving necessary information to and from the memory 127 as a memorysignal Sm. Further, the system controller 125 executes centralizedcontrol for a recording processing, a reproducing processing and thelike described below.

(i) An Embodiment of Recording Processing

In the next place, the recording processing of the record informationaccording to the embodiment will be specifically described withreference to the FIG. 8. Alternatively, the recording processing to bedescribed below comprises the regular (not illegal) recording processingwhich is performed by loading a DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW (except for aDVD-RAM) serving as a DVD capable of recording the information in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S.

As shown in FIG. 8, according to the recording processing of theembodiment, if the above described DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW is loaded and theinstruction for starting the recording processing is executed in anoperating unit 133, at first, the above first class information 145,which has been recorded in advance in the loaded DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW, isdetected (step S1).

In the next place, if its value is “0010b” to indicate the DVD-R 1R(step S2; YES) when a content of the detected first disk typeinformation 145 (step S2) is confirmed, the above described second disktype information 9 (the second disk type information included in theVMGI 4) and the second disk type information 88 (the second disk typeinformation included in the DSI data 51) are set in a navigationinformation generator 126 as “10b”, respectively (step S3) so as tostart the recording of the record information (step S4). According tothe processing of this step S4, the record information including theabove described first disk type information 145 and the second disk typeinformation 9 and 88 are recorded within the loaded DVD-R 1R based onthe physical format, which is shown in the above described FIGS. 1 to 5.

Alternatively, it is confirmed whether the operation to stop therecording processing is performed or not by the operating unit 133 (stepS5). If the operation is not performed (step S5; NO), returning to thestep S4, the recording processing is continued. On one hand, the stopoperation is performed (step S5; YES), the recording processing isstopped at that point (step S6) to terminate a series of the recordingprocessing.

On the other hand, in the case that a content of the detected firstclass information 145 is not “0010b” (step S2; NO) in the determinationof the step S2, then, it is confirmed whether a content of the detectedfirst disk type information 145 is “0011b” to indicate the DVD-RW or not(step S7).

Then, if the value of the detected first disk type information 145 is“0011b” (step S7; YES), the above described second disk type information9 and 88 are set within the navigation information generator 126 as“11b”, respectively (step S8), the recording of the record informationis started (step S4) and the processing after the above described stepS5 will be effected after that. In this case, according to theprocessing in this step S4, the recording information will be recordedwithin the loaded DVD-RW by the physical formats shown in the abovedescribed FIGS. 1 to 5.

Alternatively, according to the above described illegal recordingprocessing, the processing in the steps S3 and S8 shown in FIG. 8 arenot executed. As a result, in the optical disk, in which the illegalrecording processing is performed, the content of the first disk typeinformation 145 is different from the contents of the second disk typeinformation 9 and 88 or the second disk type information 9 and 88 aredefinitely not recorded. More particularly, for example, in the casethat the recording information, which is recorded in the DVD-ROM, isillegally copied in a bit-by-bit system in the DVD-R 1R, the second disktype information 9 and 88 are remained to be “00b” to indicate theDVD-ROM.

In the determination in the step S7, if the value of the detected firstdisk type information 145 is not “0011b” (step S7; NO), the value of thedetected first disk type information 145 is not any one of “0010b” and“0011b”. In this case, it is determined that the DVD currently loaded isthe DVD-ROM, in which the value of the first disk type information 145is “0000b”, so that the recording processing is immediately terminated.

(ii) An Embodiment of Reproducing Processing

In the next place, the reproducing processing according to theembodiment for reproducing the recording information in the DVD-R 1R orDVD-RW in which the recording information is recorded by the recordingprocessing shown in FIG. 8 will be specifically explained with referenceto FIGS. 9 and 10.

(A) An Embodiment of Loading Processing

At first, the processing in the case that the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW isloaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S uponreproducing the recording information will be described with referenceto FIG. 9 below.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the loading processing according to theembodiment, at first, the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW is inserted from a loadingopening (not illustrated) within the information recording/reproducingapparatus S, so that the loading processing is started to fix arotational axis of a spindle motor 132 by using a loading mechanism (notillustrated) (step S10).

Then, it is confirmed whether the loading of the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW iscompleted or not (step S11). Then, if it is not completed (step S11;NO), the processing is returned to the step S10 again so that theloading processing is continued. On one hand, if the processing iscompleted (step S11; YES), then, rotation of the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW andcondense of an optical beam B is started via the above describedrespective servo controlling (step S12).

After that, the starting information or the like within the abovedescribed lead-in-area LIA (including the above described first classinformation 145) and the above described VMGI 4 are read out (step S13).

After that, it is confirmed whether the VMGI 4 is correctly read out ornot in the step S13 (step S14). If it is not correctly read out (stepS14, NO), it is assumed that the recording information which is recordedin the DVD-R 1R does not conform to the above described physical format.After notifying the user of this, the processing is shifted to the nextreproducing processing.

On the other hand, if the VMGI 4 is correctly read out (step S14; YES),then, the initial confirmation such as confirmation of a version numberof the physical format on the basis of the read out VMGI 4 is excuted(step S15). In the next place, the content of the above described firstdisk type information 145 that is read out (step S13) is confirmed.Then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0000b” to indicate the DVDexclusively used for reproducing or not (step S16).

Then, if the content of the first disk type information 145 is “0000b”(step S16; YES), it is consequently determined whether the abovedescribed second disk type information 9 in the VMGI 4 is “00b” or not(step S17).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 9 is “00b” (step S17;YES), it is supposed that the normal DVD exclusively used forreproducing is currently loaded in the information recording/reproducingapparatus S and the processing is shifted to the next reproducingprocessing.

On one hand, if the second disk type information 9 is not “00b” in thedetermination of the step S17 (step S17; NO), the type of the opticaldisk to be indicated by the first disk type information 145 and the typeof the optical disk to be indicated by the second disk type information9 are different each other in the optical disk which are currentlyloaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S, so that itis highly potential that this optical disk is formed by illegallycopying the record information and this optical disk is immediatelyejected to the outside of the information recording/reproducingapparatus S (step S22). Thus, the reproducing processing including theloading processing is completed.

On the other hand, if the content of the detected first disk typeinformation 145 is not “0000b” in the determination of the step S16(step S16; NO), then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0010b” toindicate the DVD-R 1R or not (step S18).

Further, if the content of the first disk type information 145 is“0010b” (step S18; YES), then, it is determined whether the abovedescribed second disk type information 9 is “10b” or not (step S19).

Therefore, when the second disk type information 9 is “10b” (step S19;YES), it is supposed that the normal DVD-R 1R is currently loaded in theinformation recording reproducing apparatus S and the processing isshifted to the next reproducing processing.

On one hand, if the second disk type information 9 is not “10b” in thedetermination of the step S19 (step S19; NO), the type of the opticaldisk to be indicated by the first disk type information 145 and the typeof the optical disk to be indicated by the second disk type information9 are different each other in the optical disk which are currentlyloaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S, so that itis supposed that this optical disk is formed by illegally copying therecord information and this optical disk is immediately ejected to theoutside of the information recording/reproducing apparatus S (step S22).Thus, the reproducing processing including the loading processing iscompleted.

On the other hand, if the content of the detected disk type information145 is “0010b” in the determination of the step S18 (step S18; NO),then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0011b” to indicate theDVD-RW or not (step S20).

Further, if the content of the first disk type information 145 is“0011b” (step S20; YES), then, it is determined whether the abovedescribed second disk type information 9 is “11b” or not (step S21).

Therefore, the second disk type information 9 is “11b” (step S21; YES),it is supposed that the normal DVD-RW is currently loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S and the processing isshifted to the next reproducing processing.

On one hand, if the second disk type information 9 is not “11b” in thedetermination of the step S21 (step S21; NO), the type of the opticaldisk to be indicated by the first disk type information 145 and the typeof the optical disk to be indicated by the second disk type information9 are different each other in the optical disk which are currentlyloaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S, so that itis supposed that this optical disk is formed by illegally copying therecord information and this optical disk is immediately ejected to theoutside of the information recording reproducing apparatus S (step S22).Thus, the reproducing processing including the loading processing iscompleted.

(B) An Embodiment of Reproducing Processing

In the next place, the reproducing processing according to theembodiment, which is executed in succession to the above describedloading processing, will be explained with reference to FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, according to reproducing processing of theembodiment, at first, the above described starting information or thelike and the VMGI 4 are read out from the optical disk, which iscurrently loaded within the information recording/reproducing apparatusS, and the initial confirmation such as confirmation of the versionnumber of the physical format on the basis of the read out VMGI 4 isexecuted (step S25).

If the initial confirmation is completed, then, the content of the firstdisk type information 145 which is currently read out (step S25) isconfirmed, so that it is confirmed whether its value is “0000b” toindicate the DVD-ROM or not (step S26).

If the content of the first disk type information 145 is “0000b” (stepS26; YES), then, reproduction of the record information recorded in theDVD-ROM (detection from the optical disk) is started (step S27) andfurther, it is determined whether the above described second disk typeinformation 88 within the DSI data 51 is “00b” or not (step S28).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 88 is “00b” (step S28;YES), it is supposed that the normal DVD-ROM is currently loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S and the reproducingprocessing is continued. In the next place, it is confirmed whether theoperation to stop the reproducing operation is executed or not by theoperating unit 133 (step S29).

If the stop operation is not executed (step S29; NO), the processing isreturned to the step S27 so as to continue the reproducing processing aswell as the value of the second disk type information 88 in respectiveDSI data 51, which are sequentially obtained in accordance with thecontinuation of reproduction, is confirmed. On one hand, if the stopoperation is executed (step S29; YES), the reproducing processing isstopped at that point (step S30) to complete a series of the reproducingprocessing.

On the other hand, if the second disk type information 88 is not “00b”in the determination of the step S28 (step S28; NO), the type of theoptical disk to be indicated by the first disk type information 145 andthe type of the optical disk to be indicated by the second disk typeinformation 88 are different each other in the optical disk which arecurrently loaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S,so that it is highly potential that this optical disk is formed byillegally copying the record information and the reproducing processingfor this optical disk is immediately stopped (step S31). Simultaneously,this optical disk is ejected to the outside of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S (step S32). Thus, the reproducingprocessing is completed.

Further, if the content of the detected first disk type information 145is not “0000b” in the determination of the step S26 (step S26; NO),then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0010b” to indicate the DVD-R1R or not (step S33).

If the content of the first disk type information 145 is “0010b” (stepS33; YES), then, the reproduction of the record information which isrecorded in the DVD-R 1R (detection from the optical disk) is started(step S34). Further, it is determined whether the above described seconddisk type information 88 is “10b” or not (step S35).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 88 is “10b” (step S35;YES), it is supposed that the normal DVD-R 1R is currently loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S and the reproducingprocessing is continued. In the next place, it is confirmed whether theoperation to stop the reproducing processing is executed or not by theoperating unit 133 (step S36).

If the stop operation is not performed (step S36; NO), the processing isreturned to the step S34 so as to continue the reproducing processing aswell as the value of the second disk type information 88 in respectiveDSI data 51, which are sequentially obtained in accordance with thecontinuation of reproduction, is confirmed. On one hand, the stopoperation is executed (step S36; YES), the reproducing processing isstopped at that point (step S30) to complete a series of the reproducingprocessing.

On the other hand, if the second disk type information 88 is not “10b”in the determination of the step S35 (step S28; NO), the type of theoptical disk to be indicated by the first disk type information 145 andthe type of the optical disk to be indicated by the second disk typeinformation 88 are different each other in the optical disk which arecurrently loaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S,so that it is highly potential that this optical disk is formed byillegally copying the record information and the reproducing processingfor this optical disk is stopped (step S31). Simultaneously, thisoptical disk is immediately ejected to the outside of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S (step S32). Thus, the reproducingprocessing is completed.

On one hand, if the content of the detected first disk type information145 is “0010b” in the determination of the step S33 (step S33; NO),then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0011b” to indicate theDVD-RW or not (step S37).

If the content of the first disk type information 145 is “0011b” (stepS37; YES), then, the reproduction of the record information which isrecorded in the DVD-R 1R (detection from the optical disk) is started(step S38). Further, it is determined whether the above described seconddisk type information 88 is “11b” or not (step S39).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 88 is “11b” (step S39;YES), it is supposed that the normal DVD-RW is currently loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S and the reproducingprocessing is continued. In the next place, it is confirmed whether theoperation to stop the reproducing processing is executed or not by theoperating unit 133 (step S40).

If the stop operation is not executed (step S40; NO), the processing isreturned to the step S38 so as to continue the reproducing processing aswell as the value of the second disk type information 88 in respectiveDSI data 51, which are sequentially obtained in accordance with thecontinuation of reproduction, is confirmed. On one hand, the stopoperation is executed (step S40; YES), the reproducing processing isstopped at that point (step S30) to complete a series of the reproducingprocessing.

On the other hand, if the second disk type information 88 is not “11b”in the determination of the step S39 (step S39; NO), the type of theoptical disk to be indicated by the first disk type information 145 andthe type of the optical disk to be indicated by the second disk typeinformation 88 are different each other in the optical disk which arecurrently loaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S,so that it is highly potential that this optical disk is formed byillegally copying the record information and the reproducing processingfor this optical disk is immediately stopped (step S31). Simultaneously,this optical disk is ejected to the outside of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S (step S32). Thus, the reproducingprocessing is completed.

At the last, if the content of the detected first disk type information145 is neither “0011b” in the determination in the step S37 (step S37;NO), it is supposed that the optical disk, which is currently loaded inthe information recording/reproducing apparatus S, is an optical disk ofa type that can not be reproduced in the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S (for example, the DVD-RAM) and thereproducing processing for this optical disk is immediately stopped(step S31). Simultaneously, this optical disk is ejected to the outsideof the information recording reproducing apparatus S (step S32) tocomplete the reproducing processing.

As described above, according to the recording processing and thereproducing processing in the information recording/reproducingprocessing of the embodiments, the second disk type information 9 and 88having the same contents as that of the first disk type information 145,which is recorded in advance, are recorded in the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW, inwhich the first dick type information 145 is recorded. After that, therecording information is recorded in the DVD-R 1R or DVD-RW. Further,when recording information is reproduced, the record information isreproduced only when the first disk type information 145 and the seconddisk type information 9 and 88 are equally related, so that it ispossible to prohibit the illegal recording processing such that thesecond disk type information 9 or 88, which is different from the firstdisk type information 145, is recorded or to prohibit the reproductionof the record information, which is recorded by the illegal recordingprocessing such that the second disk type information 9 or 88 is notrecorded.

Alternatively, since the second disk type information 9 is recorded inthe VMGI 4 and further, the second disk type information 88 is recordedin the DSI data 51, even if either one of the second disk typeinformation 9 or 88 is interpolated, it is possible to certainlyprohibit the reproduction of the recording information, which isrecorded by the above described illegal recording processing, by usingother one of the second disk type information 9 or 88.

(IV) Modified Embodiment of the Information Recording/ReproducingApparatus

Next, a modified embodiment of the information recording/reproducingapparatus will explained with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

According to the above described embodiments, a case such that thesecond disk type information 9 and 88 take different values for everydetailed type of a disk is explained. However, in addition to this, avalue to classify two types of the optical disk such as the DVD-ROM andthe recordable DVD, for example, a value of the second disk typeinformation 9 or 88 corresponding to the DVD-ROM may be set to be “00b”and a value of the second disk type information 9 or 88 corresponding tothe recordable DVD (namely, any one of the DVD-R, the DVD-RW or theDVD-RAM) may be set to be “01b”.

In this case, if the value of the first disk type information 145 is“0000b” to indicate the DVD-ROM and the value of the second disk typeinformation 9 or 88 is “01b” to indicate the recordable DVD, it ispreferable that the reproduction of this optical disk is stopped and thethis optical disk is ejected to the outside since it is highly potentialthat this optical disk is formed by illegally copying the recordinformation from the DVD-ROM to the recordable DVD.

On one hand, if the value of the first disk type information 145 is“0000b” to indicate the DVD-ROM and the value of the second disk typeinformation 9 or 88 is also “00b” to indicate the DVD-ROM, or if thevalue of the first disk type information 145 is any one of “0001b”,“0010b” or “0011b” to indicate the recordable DVD and the value of thesecond disk type information 9 or 88 is also “01b” to indicate therecordable DVD, the record information recorded in this optical disk issupposed to be normal and the reproduction thereof is performed.

Next, the operation of the information recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to the modified embodiment will be explained in detail.

By using a DVD-R having a different structure from the DVD-R 1R, whichis used in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S accordingto the above-mentioned embodiment, the operation of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus according to the modified embodimentwill be explained below. Therefore, at first, the structure of the DVD-Rwill be explained with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 illustrates a planexternal view and a physical recording format of the DVD-R afterrecording the record information is completed, according to the modifiedembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, a DVD-R 1R′ according to the modified embodiment isprovided with a non-recording area 110, a beam strength test area 111, amanaging data area 112, a lead-in area LIA, a file system informationarea FS, a data area DA, a lead-out area LOA and a terminal area EA assame as the DVD-R 1R according to the above described embodiment.Further, the record information recorded in the data area DA isstructured in such a manner that a plurality of sector information iscontinued as a unit of information ST.

Then, one of sector information ST is comprised of: identificationinformation ID for identifying the present sector information ST itselfwithin the record information; error correcting information IED forcorrecting the detection error of the present identification informationID upon reproducing the record information; characteristic informationCP for indicating a characteristic belonged to the information, which isincluded in the present sector information ST; main information MD asthe information included in the present sector information ST itself;and error detecting information EDC for detecting the detection error ofentirety of the sector information ST upon reproducing the recordinginformation in sequence from a head address thereof.

In this case, in the structure of the characteristic information CP,when the DVD-R 1R′ comprises a DVD-R 1R′ to be generally circulated(hereinafter, the DVD-R 1R′ is merely referred to as a G (General) typeDVD-R), as shown in the symbol (a) of FIG. 11, according to its addressstructure, the above described characteristic information CP iscomprised in such a manner that, data type information ADP, whichindicates whether the record information recorded in the G type DVD-R1R′ comprises the video information mainly composed of the imageinformation or not, exists between two preparatory information R withoutany significant information (hereinafter, a structure of thecharacteristic information CP shown in the symbol (a) of FIG. 11 isreferred to as a second format).

On the contrary, if for example the DVD-R 1R′ comprises a DVD-R 1R′(hereinafter, the DVD-R 1R′ is merely referred to as an A (Authoring)type DVD-R) to be used only by a producer of the record information forthe user of a test or the like, as shown in symbol (b) of FIG. 11,according its address structure, the present characteristic informationCP includes the copy right information CCI (namely, the copy rightinformation to indicate the number of times that the record informationrecorded in the A type DVD-R 1R′ is capable of being copied and thereproduction limitation state or the like of the record informationrecorded in the A type DVD-R 1R′) at its head. Further, the interior ofthe characteristic information CP other than the copy right informationCCI is defined as the preparatory information R, which does not includeany significant information (hereinafter, a structure of thecharacteristic information CP shown in symbol (b) of FIG. 11 is referredto as a first format).

Alternatively, with respect to the above described characteristicinformation CP, other than the above described G type DVD-R 1R′, thestructure of the characteristic information CP within the recordinformation recorded in the DVD-RW and the DVD-RAM is defined as theabove described second format. On the other hand, the structure of thecharacteristic information CP in the record information recorded in theDVD-ROM other than the above described A type DVD-R is defined as theabove described first format. Alternatively, specifically, a content ofthe above described data type information ADP is defined as “01b” whenthe record information recorded in the DVD, in which the data typeinformation ADP is recorded, is the video information. On the otherhand, if this record information is not the video information (forexample, this record information comprises only the audio informationsuch as the music information), a content of the above described datatype information ADP is defined as “00b”.

In the next place, by using the DVD-R 1R′ having the above describedstructure, the operation of an information recording reproducingapparatus according to the modified embodiment will be explained.

(i) A Modified Embodiment for Recording Processing

In the next place, the recording processing of the record information inthe information recording/reproducing apparatus according to themodified embodiment will be specifically explained with reference toFIG. 12. Alternatively, the recording processing to be explained belowcomprises normal (not illegal) recording processing to be executed as aDVD capable of recording the information (namely, any DVD capable ofrecording the information including the above described DVD-R 1R′ andthe DVD-RAM) is loaded in the information recording/reproducingapparatus according to the modified embodiment.

Alternatively, FIG. 12 is a flow chart for illustrating the recordingprocessing. With respect to the same operation as the recordingprocessing in the information recording/reproducing apparatus Saccording to the above described embodiment with reference to FIG. 8,the identical step numerals are given and the detailed explanationsthereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the recording processing according to themodified embodiment, if the above described DVD-R 1R′ or the like isloaded and the instruction to start the recording processing is executedby an operating unit 133, at first, the first disk type information 145which has been already recorded in the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ or thelike is detected as same as the above described embodiment (step S1).

In the next place, a content of the detected first disk type information145 is confirmed (step S50). Then, if its value is “0011b” to indicatethat the loaded DVD is a DVD-RW or its value is “0001b” to indicate thatthe loaded DVD is a DVD-RAM (step S50; YES), the second disk typeinformation 9 (the second disk type information included in the VMGI 4)and the second disk type class information 88 (the second disk typeinformation included in the DSI data 51) are set as “01b”, respectively,in a navigation information generator 126 (step S54). Further, a contentof the characteristic information CP is set as the above describedsecond format as well as the data type information ADP is set as “01b”in the navigation information generator 126 (step S55) and the recordingof the record information is started in the same way as the abovedescribed embodiment (step S4).

On one hand, under the determination in the above described step S50, ifa content of the first disk type information 145 is not “0011b” nor“0001b” (step S50; NO) then, it is confirmed whether a content of thefirst disk type information 145 is “0010b” to indicate the loaded DVD isa DVD-R 1R′ or not (step S2). If the content is “0010b” (step S2; YES),then, it is confirmed whether this DVD-R 1R′ is the above described Atype DVD-R or not (step S51). If it is not the A type DVD-R (step S51;NO), the processing is shifted to the above described step S54 and S55as it is.

On the other hand, under the determination in the step S51, if theloaded DVD-R 1R′ is the A type DVD-R (step S51; YES), the second disktype information 9 and 88 are set as “00b”, respectively, in thenavigation information generator 126 (step S52). Further, a content ofthe characteristic information CP is set as the above described firstformat in the navigation information generator 126 (step S53) and therecording of the record information is started (step S4).

In step S52 shown in FIG. 12, the second disk type information 9 and 88are set as “00b”, which originally indicates the DVD-ROM, even thoughthe DVD loaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus of themodified embodiment is the A type DVD-R. That is because this A typeDVD-R is not sold to a consumer but used only for a test upon producingthe DVD-ROM, so that it is supposed that it is enough that A type DVD-Rfunctions only as the DVD-ROM in terms of the DVD for the test.

Then, it is confirmed whether the operation to stop the recordingprocessing is performed in the operating unit 133 or not (step S5). Ifit is not performed (step S5; NO), the processing returns to the step S4to continue the recording processing. On one hand, if the stop operationis performed (step S5; YES), the recording processing is stopped (stepS6) at this point and a series of recording processing is terminated.

On the other hand, under the determination of the step S2, if a contentof the detected first disk type information 145 is not “0010b” (step S2;NO), it turns out that a content of the first disk type information 145is not any one of “0001b”, “0010b” and “0011b”. In this case, since aDVD which is loaded at present is the DVD-ROM (namely, a DVD to indicatethat a content of the first disk type information 145 is “0000b”), therecording processing is immediately stopped.

Alternatively, in the above described illegal recording processing, theprocessing in the steps S52 and S54 shown in FIG. 12 are not performed.As a result, in an optical disk, in which the present illegal recordingprocessing is performed, as same as the above described embodiment, acontent of the first disk type information 145 is different from acontent of the second disk type information 9 and 88 or the second disktype information 9 and 88 are not recorded at all.

(ii) An Embodiment of the Reproducing Processing

In the next place, the reproducing processing according to the modifiedembodiment to reproduce the recording information in a DVD-R 1R′ orDVD-RW, in which the present record information is recorded by therecording processing shown in FIG. 12, will be specifically explainedwith reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

(A) A Modified Embodiment of the Loading Processing

At first, upon reproducing the recording information, the processing inthe case that the DVD-R 1R′ or DVD-RW is loaded in the informationrecording reproducing apparatus according to the modified embodimentwill be explained with reference to FIG. 13 below.

Alternatively, FIG. 13 is a flow chart for illustrating the presentloading processing. With respect to the same operation as the loadingprocessing in the information recording/reproducing apparatus Saccording to the above described embodiment with reference to FIG. 9,the identical step numerals are given and the detailed explanationsthereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the loading processing according to the modifiedembodiment, at first, the processing from the loading processing (stepS10) among the loading processing according to the embodiment, which wasexplained with reference to FIG. 9, to the confirming processing of acontent in the first disk type information 145 (step S16) are performed.

In the next place, under the determination of the step S16, if a contentof the first disk type information 145 is “0000b” (step S16; YES), thepresent loaded DVD is the DVD-ROM. Then, the above describedcharacteristic information CP is extracted from the sector informationST in the recording information recorded in the DVD-ROM and it isconfirmed whether a content of the above described data type informationADP, which is included in the characteristic information CP, is “01b” ornot (step S60).

Further, if a content of the confirmed data type information ADP is“01b” (step S60; YES), since the data type information ADP is originallynot defined by the DVD-ROM and the A type DVD-R (refer to FIG. 11), itis originally impossible that a content of the first disk typeinformation 145, which is confirmed in the step S16, is “0000b” and itsdata type information ADP is “01b”. Therefore, in this case, it isassumed that an optical disk, in which any illegal processing isperformed, is probably loaded at present, so that this optical disk isimmediately ejected from the information recording/reproducing apparatus(step S22) and the reproducing processing including the loadingprocessing is terminated.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S60, if a content ofthe confirmed data type information ADP is not “01b” (step S60; NO), inthis case, it is assumed that a normal DVD-ROM is loaded at present, andthen, it is determined that the above described second disk typeinformation 9 in the VMGI 4 is “00b” or not (step S17).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 9 is “00b” (step S17;YES), it is assumed that the normal DVD-ROM is loaded in the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S at present, so that the loadingprocessing is terminated to shift to the next reproducing processing.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S17, if the second disktype information 9 is not “00b” (step S17; NO), it is assumed that aclass of the optical disk which is indicated by the first disk typeinformation 145 is different from a type of the optical disk which isindicated by the second disk type information 9 in the present loadedoptical disk and this optical disk is highly possibly formed byillegally copying the record information therein, so that this opticaldisk is immediately ejected from the information recording/reproducingapparatus (step S22) to terminate the reproducing processing includingthe loading processing.

On the other hand, under the determination of the step S16, if a contentof the detected first disk type information 145 is not “0000b” (stepS16; NO), then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0011b” to indicatea DVD-RW or “0001b” to indicate a DVD-RAM or not (step S61).

In the next place, under the determination of the step S61, if a contentof the first disk type information 145 is not “0001b” or “0011b” (stepS61; NO), then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0010b” to indicatea DVD-R 1R′ or not (step S62).

Further, if a content of the first disk type information 145 is “0010b”(step S62; YES), then, it is confirmed whether the present loaded DVD-R1R′ is a G type DVD-R or not (step S63).

Alternatively, if a content of the first disk type information 145 isneither “0010b” (step S62; NO), the present loaded DVD is a DVD, whichis not belonged to any normal type, so that, in this case, it is assumedthat the present optical disk is an unauthentic optical disk and thisoptical disk is immediately ejected from the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus (step S22) to terminate the reproducingprocessing including the loading processing.

In the next place, under the determination of the step S63, if thepresent loaded DVD-R 1R′ is not the G type DVD-R (step S63, NO),further, it is confirmed whether the present DVD-R 1R′ is the A typeDVD-R or not (step S64).

Further, if the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ is neither the A type DVD-R(step S64; NO), the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ is neither the G type DVD-Rnor the A type DVD-R despite that the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ isdetermined to be a DVD-R 1R′. Therefore, in this case, assuming that thepresent optical disk is highly possibly formed by illegally copying therecord information therein, this optical disk is immediately ejectedfrom the information recording/reproducing apparatus (step S22) toterminate the reproducing processing including the loading processing.

On one hand, if the present loaded DVD is the A type DVD-R under thedetermination of the step S64 (step S64; YES), then, it is confirmedwhether the encryption processing is provided to the record informationrecorded in the present loaded A type DVD-R or not (step S65). If it isencrypted (step S65; YES), assuming that its record information isprotected by the copyright and this record information should not bereproduced, the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ is immediately ejected from theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus (step S22) to terminate thereproducing processing including the loading processing. On the otherhand, if it is not encrypted (step S65; NO), then, the above describedcharacteristic information CP is extracted from the sector informationST in the record information recorded in the present loaded A type DVD-Rand it is confirmed whether a content of the above described data typeinformation ADP included in the characteristic information CP is “01b”or not (step S66).

Further, if the content of the confirmed data type information ADP is“01b” (step S66; YES), as described above, since the data typeinformation ADP is not defined by the DVD-ROM and the A type DVD-R(refer to FIG. 11), it is not originally impossible that the contentconfirmed in the step S64 is the A type DVD-R as well as its data typeinformation ADP is “01b”. Therefore, in this case, assuming that thepresent loaded DVD-R is probably an optical disk provided with anyillegal processing, this optical disk is immediately ejected from theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus (step S22) to terminate thereproducing processing including the loading processing.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S66, if the content ofthe confirmed data type information ADP is not “01b” (step S66; NO),assuming that the normal A type DVD-R is loaded at present in this case,then, it is determined whether the second disk type information 9 in theVMGI 4 is “00b” or not (step S17).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 9 is not “00b” (step S17;NO), it is assumed that the normal A type DVD-R is loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus at present to shift to thenext reproducing processing.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S17, if the second disktype information 9 is “00b” (step S17; YES), in the present loadedoptical disk, a type of the DVD, which is indicated by the first disktype information 145, is different from the type of the DVD, which isindicated by the second disk type information 9, so that this DVD ishighly possibly an optical disk formed by illegally copying the recordinformation therein. Then, this optical disk is immediately ejected fromthe information recording/reproducing apparatus (step S22) and thereproducing processing including the loading processing is terminated.

In step S17 shown in FIG. 13, the same determination as that of step S7in FIG. 9 is performed, even though the DVD, which is loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus of the modified embodimentand is the object of the determination, is the A type DVD-R. That isbecause this A type DVD-R is not sold to a consumer but used only for atest upon producing the DVD-ROM, so that it is supposed that it isenough that A type DVD-R functions only as the DVD-ROM in terms of theDVD for the test.

On the other hand, under the determination of the above described stepS61, if a content of the first disk type information 145 is any of“0001b” or “0011b” (step S61; YES) or under the determination of theabove described S63, if the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ is confirmed to bethe G type DVD-R (step S63; YES), then, it is confirmed whether theencryption processing is provided to the record information recorded inrespective DVD or not (step S67). Further, if it is encrypted (step S67;YES), assuming that its record information is protected by the copyrightand this record information should not be reproduced, this optical diskis immediately ejected from the information recording/reproducingapparatus (step S22) to terminate the reproducing processing includingthe loading processing. On one hand, if it is not encrypted (step S67;NO), then, the above described characteristic information CP isextracted from the sector information ST in the record informationrecorded in the present loaded DVD and it is confirmed whether a contentof the above described data type information ADP is “01b” or not (stepS68).

Then, if the content of the confirmed data type information ADP is not“01b” (step S68; NO), as described above, since the data typeinformation ADP is defined only in the case that the video informationis recorded in the DVD-RW, the DVD-RAM or the G type DVD-R (refer toFIG. 11), the content which is confirmed in the step S61 or the step S63is not identical with the content which is confirmed in the step S68.Therefore, in this case, assuming that the present loaded optical diskis probably an optical disk provided with any illegal processing, thisoptical disk is immediately ejected from the information recordingreproducing apparatus (step S22) to terminate the reproducing processingincluding the loading processing.

On one hand, if the content of the confirmed data type information ADPis “01b” (step S68; YES), it is perceived that the content, which isconfirmed in the step S61 or the step S63, is appropriate as the normalDVD-RW, DVD-RAM or DVD-R, so that, in the next place, it is determinedwhether the above described second disk type information 9 is “01b” ornot (step S69).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 9 is “01b” (step S69;YES), it is assumed that any one of the G type DVD-R, the DVD-RW or theDVD-RAM which are capable of reproducing the record information normallyis loaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus at presentto shift to the next reproducing processing.

On the other hand, under the determination of the step S69, if thesecond disk type information 9 is not “01b” (step S69; NO), in thepresent loaded optical disk, a type of the optical disk, which isindicated by the first disk type information 145, is different from thetype of the optical disk, which is indicated by the second disk typeinformation 9, so that this optical disk is highly possibly a DVD formedby illegally copying the record information therein. Then, this opticaldisk is immediately ejected from the information recording/reproducingapparatus (step S22) and the reproducing processing including theloading processing is terminated.

(B) A Modified Embodiment of the Reproducing Processing

At last, the reproducing processing according to the modified embodimentto be performed in succession to the above described loading processingwill be explained with reference to FIG. 14.

Alternatively, FIG. 14 is a flow chart for illustrating the presentreproducing processing. With respect to the same operation as thereproducing processing in the information recording/reproducingapparatus S according to the above described embodiment with referenceto FIG. 10, the identical step numerals are given and the detailedexplanations thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the reproducing processing according to themodified embodiment, at first, the processing from the initialconfirming processing (step S25) among the reproducing processingaccording to the embodiment, which was explained with reference to FIG.10, to the reproduction starting processing (step S27) are performed.

Then, if the reproduction is started, the above described characteristicinformation CP is extracted from the sector information ST in the recordinformation recorded in the DVD-ROM, which is confirmed in the step S26,and it is confirmed whether a content of the above described data typeinformation ADP, which is included therein, is “01b” or not (step S75).

Further, if the content of the confirmed data type information ADP is“01b” (step S75; YES), as described above, the data type information ADPis not defined in the DVD-ROM and the A type DVD-R (refer to FIG. 11),so that it is originally impossible that a content of the first disktype information 145 confirmed in the step S26 is “0000b” and its datatype information ADP is “01b”. Therefore, in this case, assuming thatthere is a possibility that the optical disk provided with any illegalprocessing is loaded at present, the reproducing processing of thisoptical disk is immediately stopped (step S31) as well as this opticaldisk is ejected from the information recording/reproducing apparatus S(step S32) to terminate the reproducing processing including the loadingprocessing.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S75, if the content ofthe confirmed data type information ADP is not “01b” (step S75; NO),assuming that the normal DVD-ROM is loaded at present in this case,then, it is determined whether the above described second disk typeinformation 88 in the DSI data 51 is “00b” or not (step S28).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 88 is “00b” (step S28;YES), the reproducing processing is continued as assuming that thenormal DVD-ROM is loaded in the information recording/reproducingapparatus, then, it is confirmed whether the operation to stop thereproducing processing is performed in the operating unit 133 or not(step S29).

Further, if the stop operation is not performed (step S29; NO), theprocessing is returned to the step S27 to continue the reproducingprocessing as well as a value of the second disk type information 88 inrespective DSI data 51, which are sequentially obtained in accordancewith the continuation of the reproduction, is confirmed. On one hand, ifthe stop operation is performed (step S29; YES), the reproducingprocessing is stopped as it is (step S30) and a series of thereproducing processing is terminated.

On the other hand, under the determination of the step S28, if thesecond disk type information 88 is not “00b” (step S28; NO), in thepresent loaded optical disk, the type of the optical disk, which isindicated by the first disk type information 145, is different from thetype of the optical disk, which is indicated by the second disk typeinformation 88, so that it is assumed that this DVD is highly possiblyan optical disk formed by illegally copying the record informationtherein and the reproducing processing of this optical disk isimmediately stopped (step S31) as well as this optical disk is ejectedfrom the information recording/reproducing apparatus S (step S32) toterminate the reproducing processing.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S26, if the content ofthe detected first disk type information 145 is not “000b” (step S26;NO), then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0011b” to indicate theDVD-RW or “0001b” to indicate the DVD-RAM or not (step S76).

Further, under the determination of the step S76, if a content of thefirst disk type information 145 is not “0001b” or “0011b” (step S76;NO), then, it is confirmed whether its value is “0010b” to indicate theDVD-R1R′ or not (step S77).

Then, if a content of the first disk type information 145 is “0011b”(step S76; YES), then, it is confirmed whether the present loaded DVD-R1R′ is the G type DVD-R or not (step S78).

Alternatively, if a content of the first disk type information 145 isneither “0010b” (step S77; NO), it is perceived that the present loadedDVD is a DVD which is not belonged to any one of the normal types.Therefore, in this case, assuming that the present optical disk is anunauthentic optical disk, the reproducing processing of this opticaldisk is immediately stopped (step S31) as well as this optical disk isejected from the information recording/reproducing apparatus S (stepS32) to terminate the reproducing processing.

In the next place, under the determination of the step S78, if thepresent loaded DVD-R 1R′ is not the G type DVD-R (step S78; NO),further, it is confirmed whether the present DVD-R 1R′ is the A typeDVD-R or not (step S79).

Then, if the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ is neither the A type DVD-R (stepS79; NO), it is perceived that the present loaded DVD is neither the Gtype DVD-R nor the A type DVD-R despite that the present loaded DVD isdetermined to be the DVD-R 1R′ according to the first disk typeinformation 145. Therefore, in this case, assuming that the presentoptical disk is highly possibly an optical disk formed by illegallycopying the record information, the reproducing processing to thisoptical disk is immediately stopped (step S31) as well as this opticaldisk is ejected from the information recording reproducing apparatus S(step S32) to terminate the reproducing processing.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S79, if the presentloaded DVD is the A type DVD-R (step S79; YES), then, the reproductionof the record information recorded in the present loaded DVD (detectionfrom the A type DVD-R) is started (step S34), further, it is confirmedwhether the record information recorded in the present A type DVD-R isprovided with the encrypting processing or not (step S80). Further, ifit is encrypted (step S80; YES), assuming that this record informationis protected by the copyright and this record information should not bereproduced, the reproducing processing to this DVD-R 1R′ is immediatelystopped (step S31) as well as this DVD-R 1R′ is ejected from theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus (step S32) to terminate thereproducing processing. On the other hand, if it is not encrypted (stepS80; NO), then, the above described characteristic information CP isextracted from the sector information ST in the record informationrecorded in the present loaded A type DVD-R and it is confirmed whethera content of the above described data type information ADP included inthe characteristic information CP is “01b” or not (step S81).

Then, if the content of the confirmed data type information ADP is “01b”(step S81; YES), as described above, since the data type information ADPis not defined by the DVD-ROM and the A type DVD-R (refer to FIG. 11),it is originally impossible that the content confirmed in the step S79is the A type DVD-R as well as its data type information ADP is “01b”.Therefore, in this case, assuming that the present loaded DVD-R isprobably an optical disk provided with any illegal processing, thereproducing processing to this optical disk is immediately stopped (stepS31) as well as this optical disk is ejected from the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S (step S32) to terminate thereproducing processing.

On one hand, under the determination of the step S81, if the content ofthe confirmed data type information ADP is not “01b” (step S81; NO),assuming that the normal A type DVD-R is loaded at present in this case,then, it is determined whether the second disk type information 88 inthe DSI data 51 is “00b” or not (step S82).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 88 is not “00b” (stepS82; NO), it is assumed that the normal A type DVD-R is loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus at present to continue thereproducing processing. Then, it is confirmed whether the operation tostop the reproducing processing is performed in the operating unit 133or not (step S36).

Further, if the stop operation is not performed is not performed (stepS36; NO), the processing is returned to the step S34 to continue thereproducing processing as well as a value of the second disk typeinformation 88 in respective DSI data 51, which are sequentiallyobtained in accordance with the continuation of the reproduction, isconfirmed. On one hand, if the stop operation is performed (step S36;YES), the reproducing processing is stopped as it is (step S30) and aseries of the reproducing processing is terminated.

On the other hand, under the determination of the step S82, if thesecond disk type information 88 is “00b” (step S82; YES), in the presentloaded optical disk, the class of the optical disk, which is indicatedby the first disk type information 145, is different from the type ofthe optical disk, which is indicated by the second disk type information88, so that it is assumed that this optical disk is highly possibly anoptical disk formed by illegally copying the record information thereinand the reproducing processing of this optical disk is immediatelystopped (step S31) as well as this optical disk is ejected from theinformation recording reproducing apparatus S (step S32) to terminatethe reproducing processing.

In step S82 shown in FIG. 14, the same determination as that of step S7in FIG. 9 is performed, even though the DVD, which is loaded in theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus of the modified embodimentand is the object of the determination, is the A type DVD-R. That isbecause this A type DVD-R is not sold to a consumer but used only for atest upon producing the DVD-ROM, so that it is supposed that it isenough that A type DVD-R functions only as the DVD-ROM in terms of theDVD for the test.

On one hand, under the determination of the above described step S76, ifa content of the first disk type information 145 is any one of “0001b”or “0011b” (step S76, YES) or under the determination of the abovedescribed step S78, the present loaded DVD-R 1R′ is the G type DVD-R(step S78; YES), then, the reproduction of the recording informationrecorded in the present loaded DVD (detection from the DVD) is started(step S34), further, it is confirmed whether the record informationrecorded in respective DVD are provided with the encrypting processingor not (step S83). Further, if it is encrypted (step S83; YES), assumingthat this record information is protected by the copyright and thisrecord information should not be reproduced, the reproducing processingto this DVD is immediately stopped (step S31) as well as this DVD isejected from the information recording/reproducing apparatus (step S32)to terminate the reproducing processing. On the other hand, if it is notencrypted (step S83; NO), then, the above described characteristicinformation CP is extracted from the sector information ST in the recordinformation recorded in the present loaded DVD and it is confirmedwhether a content of the above described data type information ADPincluded in the characteristic information CP is “01b” or not (stepS84).

Then, if the content of the confirmed data type information ADP is not“01b” (step S84; NO), as described above, since the data typeinformation ADP is defined only in the DVD-RW, the DVD-RAM or the G typeDVD-R (refer to FIG. 11), the content which is confirmed in the step S76or the step S78 is not identical with the content which is confirmed inthe step S84. Therefore, in this case, assuming that the present loadedoptical disk is probably an optical disk provided with any illegalprocessing, the reproducing processing to this DVD is immediatelystopped (step S31) as well as this DVD is immediately ejected from theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus (step S32) to terminate thereproducing processing including the loading processing.

On one hand, if the content of the confirmed data type information ADPis “01b” (step S84; YES), it is perceived that the content, which isconfirmed in the step S76 or the step S78, is appropriate as the normalDVD-RW, DVD-RAM or DVD-R, so that, in the next place, it is determinedwhether the above described second disk type information 88 is “01b” ornot (step S85).

Therefore, if the second disk type information 88 is “01b” (step S85;YES), it is assumed that any one of the G type DVD-R, the DVD-RW or theDVD-RAM which are capable of reproducing the record information normallyis loaded in the information recording/reproducing apparatus at presentto continue the reproducing processing. Then, it is confirmed whetherthe operation to stop the reproducing processing is performed in theoperating unit 133 or not (step S40).

Further, if the stop operation is not performed is not performed (stepS40; NO), the processing is returned to the step S38 to continue thereproducing processing as well as a value of the second disk typeinformation 88 in respective DSI data 51, which are sequentiallyobtained in accordance with the continuation of the reproduction, isconfirmed. On one hand, if the stop operation is performed (step S40;YES), the reproducing processing is stopped as it is (step S30) and aseries of the reproducing processing is terminated.

On the other hand, under the determination of the step S85, if thesecond disk type information 88 is not “01b” (step S85; NO), in thepresent loaded optical disk, the type of the optical disk, which isindicated by the first disk type information 145, is different from thetype of the optical disk, which is indicated by the second disk typeinformation 88, so that it is assumed that this DVD is highly possibly aDVD formed by illegally copying the record information therein and thereproducing processing of this DVD is immediately stopped (step S31) aswell as this optical disk is ejected from the information recordingreproducing apparatus (step S32) to terminate the reproducingprocessing.

As described above, even in the case of performing the operation of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus according to the modifiedembodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S according to the abovedescribed embodiment.

Alternatively, the above described embodiment and the modifiedembodiment are explained on the assumption that the first disk typeinformation 145 and the second disk type information 9 and 88 have thesame content each other. However, in addition to this, it is possible toconstitute the embodiment and the modified embodiment in such a mannerthat the first disk type information 145 and the second disk typeinformation 9 and 88 are set so as to have a predetermined correspondingrelation, which is capable of being recognized only by the normalinformation recording/reproducing apparatus to record the recordinginformation.

Alternatively, the above described embodiment and the modifiedembodiment are explained on the assumption that the second disk typeinformation 9 is recorded in the VMGI 4 and the second disk typeinformation 88 is recorded in the DSI data 51, respectively. However, inorder to further make the interpolation difficult, for example, it ispossible to constitute the embodiment and the modified embodiment insuch a manner that the present second disk type information are recordedin a portion of the copy protection information, which is set inadvance.

Further, although the interpolation becomes rather easy, it is alsopossible to constitute the embodiment and the modified embodiment insuch a manner that any one of the second disk type information 9 and 88is recorded and the class of the optical disk which is indicated by thepresent one of the second disk type information 9 and 88 is compared tothe type of the optical disk which is indicated by the first typeinformation 145 so as to control the reproducing processing.

Furthermore, according to the above described embodiment, if the type ofthe optical disk which is indicated by the first disk type information145 is different from the type of the optical disk which is indicated bythe second disk type information 9 in the VMGI 4 upon the loadingprocessing, this optical disk is ejected to the outside. However, theembodiment may be constituted so as to perform this determination uponthe reproducing processing.

Alternatively, it is matter of course that a display panel of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus and an externally connecteddisplay or the like may display the warning in spite of ejecting theoptical disk in which the recording information is illegally copied tothe outside.

Furthermore, the invention may be applied to the illegal copy protectionprocessing for the CD capable of recording the information or the likein addition to the above described DVD capable of recording theinformation.

Furthermore, recording a program corresponding to a flow chart shown inFIGS. 8 to 10 and FIGS. 12 to 14 in a flexible disk or a hard disk orthe like as an information recording medium and reading out it by usinga personal computer or the like to be executed, it is also possible tooperate the personal computer or the like as the above described systemcontroller 125.

Accordingly, by effectively prohibiting the reproduction of therecording information, which is provided with the above illegalrecording processing by the information processing apparatus or thelike, the recording medium in which the private recording information isrecorded and the recording medium in which the recording information isillegally copied are differentiated and the reproduction of therecording information, which is recorded in the recording medium inwhich the recording information is illegally copied, is prevented, sothat it is possible to effectively protect a copy right.

The entire disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-308490filed on Oct. 6, 2000 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-290123filed on Sep. 21, 2001 including the specification, claims, diagrams andsummary is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1-51. (canceled)
 52. An information recording apparatus for recordingrecord information in a recording medium in which medium typeinformation indicating a type of the recording medium is recorded,comprising: a detecting device for detecting the medium type informationfrom the recording medium; a setting device for setting characteristicinformation indicating a characteristic of record information to berecorded in correspondence to the medium type information; and arecording device for recording the record information including the setcharacteristic information in the recording medium.
 53. The informationrecording apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the recordinformation is composed of a plurality of record information units, andthe characteristic information is included in each information unit, andindicates the characteristic of record information included in theinformation unit.
 54. The information recording apparatus according toclaim 52, wherein the characteristic information indicates whether therecord information is video information.
 55. The information recordingapparatus according to claim 52, wherein the characteristic informationindicates whether the record information has a predetermined format. 56.The information recording apparatus according to claim 52, wherein themedium type information is recorded at the stage of manufacturing therecording medium.
 57. The information recording apparatus according toclaim 52, wherein the medium type information is recorded in a lead-inarea of the recording medium, and the characteristic information isrecorded in a data area in which the record information is recorded. 58.An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing record informationfrom a recording medium in which the record information, and medium typeinformation are recorded, the medium type information indicating a typeof the recording medium, and the record information includingcharacteristic information indicating a characteristic of the recordinformation to be recorded in correspondence to the medium typeinformation, comprising: a first detecting device for detecting themedium type information from the recording medium; a second detectingdevice for detecting the characteristic information from the recordingmedium; and a reproducing device for reproducing the record informationonly when the detected medium type information and the detectedcharacteristic information have a predetermined correspondence to eachother.
 59. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 58,wherein the reproducing device ejects the recording medium loaded in theinformation reproducing apparatus from the information reproducingapparatus when the detected medium type information and the detectedcharacteristic information do not have a predetermined correspondence toeach other.
 60. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim58, wherein the medium type information is recorded at the stage ofmanufacturing the recording medium.
 61. A recording medium for use in aninformation recording and/or reproducing apparatus, comprising: a typeinformation recording area in which a type information indicating a typeof the recording medium is recorded; a characteristic informationrecording area in which characteristic information indicating acharacteristic of record information which has a predeterminedcorrespondence to the type information is recorded; and a recordinformation recording area in which the record information to berecorded in the recording medium is recorded.
 62. The recording mediumaccording to claim 61, wherein the characteristic information indicateswhether the record information is video information.
 63. The recordingmedium according to claim 61, wherein the characteristic informationindicates whether the record information has a predetermined format. 64.The recording medium according to claim 61, wherein the recordinformation is composed of a plurality of record information units, andthe characteristic information recording area is formed in an area forrecord information unit to be recorded in the record informationrecording area.
 65. The recording medium according to claim 61, whereinthe medium type information is recorded at the stage of manufacturingthe recording medium.
 66. An information recording method for recordingrecord information in a recording medium in which medium typeinformation indicating a type of the recording medium is recorded,comprising: a detecting process which detects the medium typeinformation from the recording medium; a setting process which setscharacteristic information indicating a characteristic of recordinformation to be recorded in correspondence to the medium typeinformation; and a recording process which records the recordinformation including the set characteristic information in therecording medium.
 67. The information recording method according toclaim 66, wherein the record information is composed of a plurality ofrecord information units, and the characteristic information is includedin each information unit, and indicates the characteristic of recordinformation included in the information unit.
 68. The informationrecording method according to claim 66, wherein the characteristicinformation indicates whether the record information is videoinformation.
 69. The information recording method according to claim 66,wherein the characteristic information indicates whether the recordinformation has a predetermined format.
 70. The information recordingmethod according to claim 66, wherein the medium type information isrecorded at the stage of manufacturing the recording medium.
 71. Theinformation recording method according to claim 66, wherein the mediumtype information is recorded in a lead-in area of the recording medium,and the characteristic information is recorded in a data area in whichthe record information is recorded.
 72. An information reproducingmethod for reproducing record information from a recording medium inwhich the record information, and medium type information are recorded,the medium type information indicating a type of the recording medium,and the record information including characteristic informationindicating a characteristic of the record information to be recorded incorrespondence to the medium type information, comprising: a firstdetecting process which detects the medium type from the recordingmedium; a second detecting process which detects the characteristicinformation from the recording medium; and a reproducing process whichreproduces the record information only when the detected medium typeinformation and the detected characteristic information have apredetermined correspondence to each other.
 73. The informationreproducing method according to claim 72, wherein the reproducing deviceejects the recording medium loaded in the information reproducingapparatus from the information reproducing apparatus when the detectedmedium type information and the detected characteristic information donot have a predetermined correspondence to each other.
 74. Theinformation reproducing method according to claim 72, wherein the mediumtype information is recorded at the stage of manufacturing the recordingmedium.
 75. An information recording medium in which a recording controlprogram is recorded readably by a recording computer in an informationrecording apparatus for recording record information in a recordingmedium in which medium type information indicating a type of therecording medium is recorded, the recording control program causing therecording computer to function as: a detecting device for detecting themedium type information from the recording medium; a setting device forsetting characteristic information indicating a characteristic of recordinformation to be recorded in correspondence to the medium typeinformation; and a recording device for recording the record informationincluding the set characteristic information in the recording medium.76. The information recording medium according to claim 75, wherein therecord information is composed of a plurality of record informationunits, and the characteristic information is included in eachinformation unit, and indicates the characteristic of record informationincluded in the information unit.
 77. The information recording mediumaccording to claim 75, wherein the characteristic information indicateswhether the record information is video information.
 78. The informationrecording medium according to claim 75, wherein the characteristicinformation indicates whether the record information has a predeterminedformat.
 79. The information recording medium according to claim 75,wherein the medium type information is recorded at the stage ofmanufacturing the recording medium.
 80. The information recording mediumaccording to claim 75, wherein the medium type information is recordedin a lead-in area of the recording medium, and the characteristicinformation is recorded in a data area in which the record informationis recorded.
 81. An information recording medium in which a reproducingcontrol program is recorded readably by a reproducing computer in aninformation reproducing apparatus for reproducing record informationfrom a recording medium in which the record information, and medium typeinformation are recorded, the medium type information indicating a typeof the recording medium, and the record information includingcharacteristic information indicating a characteristic of the recordinformation to be recorded in correspondence to the medium typeinformation, the reproducing control program causing the reproducingcomputer to function as: a first detecting device for detecting themedium type information from the recording medium; a second detectingdevice for detecting the characteristic information from the recordingmedium; and a reproducing device for reproducing the record informationonly when the detected medium type information and the detectedcharacteristic information have a predetermined correspondence to eachother.
 82. The information recording medium according to claim 81,wherein the reproducing device ejects the recording medium loaded in theinformation reproducing apparatus from the information reproducingapparatus when the detected medium type information and the detectedcharacteristic information do not have a predetermined correspondence toeach other.
 83. The information recording medium according to claim 81,wherein the medium type information is recorded at the stage ofmanufacturing the recording medium.